Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 12th May 2026

Mindful muse

By Oliver Winn

If you peruse any of the paintings on show at the Warburton Waterwheel this month, not only are you looking at some incredibly detailed pieces of contemporary abstract art - you’re also looking into the mind of a talented Yarra Valley artist.

After all, that’s the point of Jerry Osadczuk’s exhibition, Mindfulness.

Mindfulness showcases a series of vivid abstract paintings until 31 May, open to anyone at no cost at the Warburton Waterwheel exhibition space.

The paintings are rich with texture, achieved by using many mediums and taking advantage of their individual traits.

Each layer showcases a state of Mr Osadczuk’s mind, culminating in a coalescence of colour and feeling that represents the journey of creating the artwork.

Mr Osadczuk said this is what Mindfulness is all about.

“This exhibition is called mindfulness and I think that’s basically what it is. It’s the setting of my mind.”

Read more on page 20

Its Mc-Happening

By Gabriella Vukman

Despite residents voting ‘no’ in 2020, plans for a Healesville McDonald’s have been given the goahead.

The result of a VCAT decision on Thursday, 30 April, the new McDonald’s will be accompanied by a service station, a function centre, a 423-space carpark, a hotel and both a market and a retail space.

The amended planning permit allows the construction of an eight-metre-tall McDonald’s with an indoor play area and a restaurant seating 55 people on the land at 17-25 Maroondah Highway (Lots 1 and 2 PS747586Y), just before the 7-Eleven.

As there is currently no available right turn into the lot coming from Healesville, a new

roundabout will be built on the Maroondah Highway to facilitate this turn.

The road will also be widened, and there will be the addition of a splitter island to stop vehicles from turning right directly into the McDonald’s without using the roundabout.

All signage associated with the lot will be turned off at 10 pm on Sundays and weekdays, and midnight on Saturday evenings.

The Yarra Ranges Council voiced its concerns during the hearing, chief among which were that the new infrastructure would impact the character of Healesville, with Maroondah Highway being the town’s gateway.

While the VCAT tribunal did not see this as a major concern, the council did win out against the removal of some trees.

Read more on page 3

Mr Osadczuk’s paintings invites viewers to come up with their own interpretation. (Oliver Winn: 551992)

Jo Nursing

Ploughing ahead

By

After a VCAT decision on 30 April, the installation of a McDonald’s in the township of Healesville will be going ahead.

Despite 75.5 per cent of Star Mail readers voting ‘No’ to a Healesville Macca’s in 2020, multiple planning revisions have taken place over six years since then to land the final design for the Healesville McDonald’s in approval.

The amended planning permit allows the construction of an eight-metre-tall McDonald’s with an indoor play area and a restaurant seating 55 people on the land at 17-25 Maroondah Highway (Lots 1 and 2 PS747586Y), just before the 7-Eleven.

As there is currently no available right turn into the lot coming from Healesville, a new roundabout will be built on the Maroondah Highway to facilitate this turn.

The road will also be widened, and there will be the addition of a splitter island to stop vehicles from turning right directly into the McDonald’s without using the roundabout.

All signage associated with the lot will be turned off at 10 pm on Sundays and weekdays, and midnight on Saturday evenings.

Lying within Healesville’s only pocket of Industrial 3 Zone, the new development includes a service station, hotel, approximately 423 car spaces, a market and retail space, and a function centre.

The proposal had 49 objectors raising concerns on the visual and amenity impacts, traffic congestion and rubbish; two of those joined the meeting.

Chief among the council’s concerns for the plan was the impact on the character of Healesville, with Maroondah Highway being the gate-

The plan for the lot.

way to the town.

The council noted in the hearing that the “Maroondah Highway currently has a rural township character at the western entrance to Healesville with two lanes and a generous treed verge.”

The council maintained that the proposed slip lanes, and resultant narrow verge and loss of trees and tree planting opportunities, subvert the intent of the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan due to their layout and design.

Also stating in the hearing that it approved the uses for the planned McDonald’s lot, the Council noted the execution of the built form, needed

to achieve a high-quality design outcome that would not be detrimental to the streetscape, landscape and environmental characteristics of the area.

According to the council, the amendments to the plan did not achieve this.

Despite the Council’s concerns, the tribunal found the proposed road widening to be an acceptable design and landscape outcome, because it will be viewed with a backdrop of “cohesive, substantial, layered planting on the subject land.”

A timeline for the commencement of works was not provided in the hearing.

IN BRIEF

Protect your belongings in your car Yarra Ranges Eyewatch have notified outer east tradies how they can prevent thefts from their utes and trailers.

Tradies should always secure their utes and trailers and pack away any tools.

If it’s quick to get to, it’s quick to take.

Tradies are also reminded to park off street if they can, while locking up properly and keeping tools out of sight can make a real difference.

If anyone has had anything stolen, report it online at police.vic.gov.au/palolr.

To report information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.

If the crime is happening right now, always call Triple Zero (000).

Tree planting commenced

The Yarra Ranges Council’s Trees Team has begun its planting program this year, with 1600 new trees to be planted between May and September.

New trees will go into the ground across streets and parks in Woori Yallock and Healesville, adding more shade and colour to these neighbourhoods.

“We’re planting a mix of indigenous, native and exotic species, with smaller varieties carefully selected for areas under powerlines to minimise future pruning and keep streets looking their best,” the council said on social media.

“More trees mean cooler streets in summer, cleaner air, better habitats for wildlife and even helping manage stormwater when the rain hits.”

New recycling hubs

From mid-May, community members will be able to recycle items such as small e-waste and light bulbs in recycling hubs located across the municipality.

In partnership with Sustainability Victoria, Council will soon establish six recycling hubs, located at Council’s five Community Links in Upwey, Lilydale, Healesville, Monbulk and Yarra Junction, and at the Belgrave Library.

The recycling hubs will collect household batteries, small e-waste and vapes, light globes, fluorescent tubes, x-rays, CDs, DVDs, VHS and cassette tapes.

The recycling hubs will be opening in late May. For more information on recycling items correctly, please visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/waste.

Collections will be trialled over a 12-month period to make sure they achieve safe and efficient recycling of waste and meet the needs of the community.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Richard Higgins said the recycling hubs will mean more items being recycled, and less batteries and e-waste ending up in landfill.

“In 2019, the State Government announced a ban on e-waste in kerbside bins, meaning that anything powered by a battery or a power plug was not allowed to be put in household bins, and had to be taken to a transfer station or put out for hard rubbish collection,” Cr Higgins said.

“However, the Yarra Ranges is an incredibly large area; waste transfer stations aren’t always accessible for people for several reasons, and people can’t always store items for hard rubbish. Meanwhile, we know that the prevalence of battery-powered items has risen dramatically.”

Gabriella Vukman

The blue tarp marks where the main McDonald’s sign is set to be. (VCAT).

Sexual abuse settlement against church overturned

By Oliver Winn

A historical sex abuse allegation against a Seventh-day Adventist School in Warburton resurfaced after an April 29 Supreme Court ruling opened the door for further compensation.

The church paid $125,000 in 2016 to a woman who alleged she was regularly sexually abused by teacher Jean Mack in the 1970s.

But the recent ruling overturned the settlement and the woman can now seek further compensation.

According to Supreme Court documents the woman alleged she was sexually abused once every one to three weeks when she was in Prep and Grade 1.

She also alleged after raising the abuse with the school’s principal, they threatened to expel her unless she confessed to abusing other students herself.

Jean Mack denied the abuse took place until she died in 2024.

Associate Justice Caroline Goulden said the woman believed being paid by the church was her only way to justice at the time.

“At the time she entered into the deed of settlement with the defendant in August 2016, the plaintiff faced (and was advised that she faced) significant legal barriers to her claim,” Judge Goulden said.

At the time, churches were able to invoke the “Ellis” defence, which made unincorporated institutions operated by religious organisations immune to legal action.

“The plaintiff was aware that, by signing the deed, she would be barred from seeking further compensation from the Church in the future,” Judge Goulden said.

The woman claimed prior to contacting po-

lice in 2010 she’d been in and out of Warburton Hospital for suicidal ideation and had previously attempted suicide.

When the settlement took place in August 2016, she gave evidence that she was under physical, psychological and financial stress at the time of the settlement.

She was not working, and had been on a disability pension for some years as a result of her physical and mental ill health.

During the meeting with her solicitor and the church, the woman recalled that she sat in tears as she told her story.

Judge Goulden said the church claimed it never intended to rely on the Ellis defence and

Firework fiasco hits Coldstream

Sparks shot across the sky in Coldstream on the evening of Monday 4 May, as a fireworks display malfunctioned.

At approximately 8.04pm, a vehicle linked to the display caught fire during a wedding celebration.

The car was positioned about 100 metres away from guests, and flames were initially contained to the vehicle.

The incident began shortly after guests noticed a firework was seen igniting near the car, followed by small flames.

Within moments, the situation escalated as the fire intensified and began to spread through the vehicle, which contained additional fireworks.

Emergency services arrived within approximately 10 minutes, having just completed a training exercise nearby.

According to attending crews, four fire trucks from the Yarra Glen and Coldstream brigades responded to the scene and quickly brought the blaze under control.

By the time the explosions intensified, all

guest attendees

to a safe distance inside the venue, while the pyrotechnician worked with the local CFAs to slow the blaze.

A spokesperson for the CFA

therefore it wouldn’t have motivated the woman to enter into a settlement.

But, a “thinly veiled reference” to the defence in the file notes for the settlement meeting meant the church was aware of the defence.

“I can see no reason for a party’s legal adviser to refer to the operator of the school as an ‘unincorporated entity’ unless it was to emphasise that there would be no entity available to sue,” Judge Goulden said.

The file notes also stated the settlement shouldn’t attempt to be “fully compensatory or to replicate common law damages”

Judge Goulden ruled in favour of setting aside the settlement deed based on the “inadequacy of

the settlement amount, and her unequal bargaining position”

“Taking all of the circumstances into account, including the interests of the defendant and the prejudice it asserts, it is just and reasonable to set aside the deed in full.”

According to Arnold Thomas and Becker associate Gabrielle Verhagen, the woman could now proceed to attend a mediation with the Seventh-day Adventists Schools (Victoria) Ltd and its legal representative.

“If the matter does not resolve it would proceed to trial,” Ms Verhagen said.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church Victoria has been contacted for comment.

The ruling was made in the Supreme Court of Victoria. (File)

had been moved

told Star Mail

“Crews discovered a single car fully involved in fire.” “The incident was deemed under control at 8.17pm and safe at 8.30pm,” they said. No one was injured during the event and

the fire remained isolated to the vehicle, which was ultimately destroyed.

situation

The explosion was a colourful spectacle for those watching on. (Anon: 551453).

Four firetrucks attended the scene and no one was injured. (Anon: 551453).

New budget allocations flush away old bathrooms

By Gabriella Vukman

Toolangi Primary School’s old bathrooms will soon be flushed away with the State Government’s commitment of $298,000 to upgrade the school’s toilets.

After previously applying for bathroom renovation funding twice and getting knocked back, the small school of 16 students is overjoyed to have been included in the State’s new budget allocations.

Principal at Toolangi Primary, Nicole Barnes, said the bathroom upgrades are an important job for the school and its community.

“Our current toilet block is probably the original toilet block that I believe was built in the 1970s, and they’re not inclusive,” Ms Barnes said. “It would be almost impossible for us to fund this upgrade for ourselves, and so it makes such a huge difference to get this financial support from the Government.”

According to Ms Barnes, the bathroom upgrade not only benefits the school but also the wider Toolangi community.

“For our community here, our school is the host of the local playgroup,” Ms Barnes said.

“With mums and young children needing to go to the toilet, we want to ensure that we’ve got nice, clean, happy changing facilities.”

Being a small school, Toolangi Primary is heavily reliant on grants to upgrade its facilities.

“We don’t have the ability to just raise funds like other schools that can raise a couple of thousand dollars just by having a free dress day and gold coin donation,” Ms Barnes said.

“We are unable to do that with our numbers, so government funding is really important for us.”

“We are a growing school, we’re getting more enrolments every year, and to have something like this highlights for us that we’re still important.”

The school is also hoping to add an accessibility-needs-friendly staff toilet, as they currently have one to service the school’s seven staff.

Works on the new toilet block are scheduled to commence in April 2027.

Ms Barnes said, “In August, we will start working with the School Building Authority to ascertain what exactly we are hoping to achieve from this project.”

For the community of Toolangi Primary School, having funding allocated by the government affirms that they have not been forgotten.

“Having these works be completed tells the whole community that Toolangi Primary School is still here,” Ms Barnes said.

“We have got small numbers, but we are still going strong.”

Upper Yarra left out in 2026/27 State Budget

By Oliver Winn

No Upper Yarra projects received dedicated funding in the Victorian Government’s 2026-27 State Budget, though the region will share cash from bulk funds.

Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes handed down her second budget on Tuesday 5 May ahead of the November state election, projecting just under $200 billion in net debt.

While specific projects were slated for upgrades in the Yarra Ranges, none of these resided within the Upper Yarra region.

Monbulk College and Toolangi Primary School will receive funding through the Capital Works Fund and Sherbrooke Community School will get facility upgrades.

But no Upper Yarra schools received any dedicated funding.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said schools in the region will “share” with others from an investment fund.

“Every Victorian child deserves a great education – and this Budget delivers it.”

“Upper Yarra will share in an investment of over $551.6 million over five years to upgrade schools across Victoria,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.

State Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said the bud-

get should’ve prioritised more community facilities in the Upper Yarra.

“I really feel for some of our sporting clubs, in the Upper Yarra I’d be prioritising Wesburn and the facilities at Queens Park in Healesville. Many clubrooms and grounds are past their use by date,” she said.

Sporting clubs in the Upper Yarra will share from the Supporting Victoria’s State Sporting Centres bulk $35.9 million fund.

Meanwhile the budget also allocated $26.1 million to community sports infrastructure and participation initiatives.

She also said dental health deserved better funding, pointing at the success Inspiro Community Health has had in Lilydale.

“Inspiro Community Health in the Yarra Valley is one of the state’s best performing public dental clinics, among the shortest wait times, but the sector’s overall funding has been cut by 34 per cent.”

The Department of Transport and Planning didn’t highlight any specific funding for roads in the Upper Yarra.

But it’s likely roads in the Upper Yarra will be maintained using cash from the bulk Roads Asset Management fund.

This year, the Road Asset Management fund was allocated $341.1 million.

Toolangi ps students jumping for joy for their new toilet block. (Nicole Barnes).

Roads like the Warburton Highway will share from the Roads Asset Management fund. (File)

Healthcare a broken promise for the Yarra Ranges region?

By Gabriella Vukman

Healthcare investment across the Yarra Ranges and Melbourne’s outer east has again become a political flashpoint, with renewed scrutiny over the long-promised redevelopment of Maroondah Hospital after the project failed to receive a dedicated capital works allocation in this year’s Victorian Budget.

Despite repeated election commitments dating back to 2018, the major rebuild, later rebranded by the State Government as the proposed Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, remains in the planning phase.

The Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully garnered a mention, however, with $44.8 million cited to “open the new and redeveloped Angliss Hospital later this year” . The hospital previously received $112 million for redevelopment, with budget papers indicating an estimated expenditure of $13 million in the 2026-27 year.

As of now, no clear construction timelines have been announced, and no new construction funding has been specifically identified in the 2026-27 budget papers for Maroondah Hospital.

The omission has sparked criticism from opposition and independent MPs, particularly as Victoria moves closer to another state election.

Years in the making, the redevelopment was promised by the Labor Government ahead of the 2018 Victorian election, where Labor pledged $62.4 million for a new emergency department at Maroondah Hospital.

These works included a dedicated children’s emergency department.

In the 2021-22 Budget, the Government allocated part of a broader $102.4 million package for paediatric emergency departments at some of Victoria’s busiest hospitals, with Maroondah included among the sites earmarked for upgrades.

Later in September 2022, former Premier Daniel Andrews announced a much larger commitment between $850 million and $1.05 billion to completely redevelop the Maroondah Hospital.

The project was pitched as a transformational rebuild for Melbourne’s outer east, including over 200 new inpatient beds, a new emergency department, a dedicated children’s emergency department, new operating theatres, a day procedure unit, and a mental health hub.

Construction was originally slated to begin in 2025, with the completed hospital expected to open in 2029.

The redevelopment was also accompanied by a proposal to rename the hospital the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital following the monarch’s death, a move that triggered strong backlash from Aboriginal organisations, community groups and some residents who argued the Woi Wurrung name ‘Maroondah’ should remain.

Nearly four years after the billion-dollar promise was announced, the latest state budget contains no explicit capital funding allocation for construction of the redevelopment.

The only mention of the project appears within broader existing project expenditure figures tied to the Hospital Infrastructure Delivery Fund. Opposition MPs say that is not enough.

North Eastern Metropolitan MP Nick McGowan described the lack of funding as “heartbreaking.”

In a social media post, Mr McGowan said, “Today’s silence represents a betrayal of trust.”

“Not a cent of funding to construct a toilet, much less an entire hospital which locals were told would start being built last year,” the post read.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said the Government had repeatedly overpromised and underdelivered on health infrastructure in the outer east.

Ms Vallence told Star Mail, “A significant concern is that this budget scraps the Maroondah Hospital rebuild.”

“There is no mention of the promised rebuild and no funding allocated,” she said.

“Labor promises big before an election but fails to deliver time and again, leaving our community and the Maroondah Hospital health workforce to pay the price.”

With a growing population of 160,000, in the Yarra Ranges Shire alone, for many residents living in the rural outer east, the Maroondah Hospital is their only option for addressing serious emergency healthcare needs.

According to the Victorian Health Building Authority, the developments to the Maroondah Hospital will be funded out of the allocated resources from previous years.

In a separate statement, Ms Vallence said it was “astonishing” the redevelopment appeared to have been “dumped” from the budget altogether.

“It is disgraceful. Labor totally misled eastern suburban families by promising a new hospital they will not deliver,” she said.

The State Government has strongly rejected claims the project has been abandoned.

Star Mail approached the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) for input on the hospital agenda, asking what the timeline was for the promised upgrades, and what the latest correspondence regarding the upgrades had been with the State Government.

The VHBA responded: “While local MPs attempt to score cheap political points and spread misinformation, we’re getting on with delivering the QEII Hospital.”

“Delivering a project of this scale requires significant planning - this work is well underway,” a spokesperson said.

“While we’re upgrading and building hospitals across Victoria, Jess Wilson’s Liberals have an $11.5 billion budget blackhole which means one thing: cuts. Because the only thing the Liberals have done for hospitals in generations is close and sell them.”

According to the government, substantial planning and due diligence has been completed over the past 12 months including; structural integrity assessments, plant and services condition reviews, clinical planning, property and traffic impact assessments, along with a redevelopment constraint analysis.

The Victorian Health Building Authority, which oversees major hospital infrastructure projects across the state, has also continued to list the Maroondah redevelopment among existing health infrastructure projects.

Despite this information, key questions remain unanswered, including when and how the construction funding will be allocated and whether the original 2029 completion timeline remains achievable.

Star Mail also reached out to the Department of Health, but they did not supply a comment.

State debt tipped to touch $200 billion

By Callum Godde, AAP

Debt is forecast to nudge $200 billion by the end of the decade in one state as a long-time Labor government walks a financial tightrope.

Handing down her second budget on Tuesday 5 May ahead of the November state election, Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes narrowly avoided posting a $200 billion net debt projection.

Net debt is instead expected to hit $175.6 billion by the end of next financial year and top $199.3 billion by mid-2030.

By that point, annual interest repayments to service Victoria’s growing debt pile and cash deficits are forecast to rise to $11.8 billion, equating to more than $32 million a day.

The state’s operating surplus for next financial year has been shaved from $1.9 billion to $1 billion.

Treasury expects to post operating surpluses totalling $6.8 billion over the next four years and net debt as a share of the state economy to marginally fall from a high of 24.9 per cent in 2026/27.

There were no other major cost-of-living relief measures left to announce after Premier Jacinta Allan splashed billions of dollars in the lead up budget day, including on free and half-price public transport and discounted car registration.

Ms Symes described it as a restrained and responsible Labor budget to make life “easier, safer and more affordable for every Victorian”

She pointed to Victoria joining Western Australia and South Australia as the only jurisdictions in the country with an operating surplus.

“This budget confirms Victoria’s first operating surplus in seven years, the only surplus on the eastern seaboard,” Ms Symes said in her address to parliament.

Nonetheless, the budget papers show Victoria is forecast to record more than $30 billion in cash deficits over the next four years.

A leading economist warned budget-watchers not to confuse the operating surplus, which includes federal government grants and excludes all spending on capital infrastructure projects, as a cash surplus.

“The bottom line is that until you start running cash surpluses, you can’t begin to repay debt - indeed you can’t stop adding to debt,” independent economist Saul Eslake told AAP.

Three credit rating agencies class Victoria’s economic outlook as stable but several have flagged the recent flurry of spending measures could weaken fiscal metrics, if not offset.

Revenue from stamp duty is forecast to fall by almost $900 million next financial year due to a declining property sales stemming from higher interest rates, Ms Symes said.

Despite the Allan government committing to cut more than 1000 public service jobs, treasury estimates employee expenses will rise to $45.5 billion by 2029/30.

Ms Symes pushed back on the suggestion Victoria’s public sector wages bill remained out of control, declaring growth was in line with population.

“We back our teachers, our nurses, our police - we want more of these people employed,” she said.

The uncertainty surrounding Maroondah Hospital comes amid broader concerns about Healthcare demand throughout the Yarra Ranges and Melbourne’s outer east.

Population growth, increased emergency department demand, and the topic of ambulance response times have all intensified pressure on local health services in recent years.

The State Government’s latest budget includes $50.7 million aimed at boosting Ambulance Victoria operations including; $28.6 million to continue boosting ambulance capacity, $9.7 million to improve Triple Zero triage systems, $10 million to continue emergency department offload pilots, and $2 million for clinical triage support services.

The above mentioned pilot programs are designed to improve ambulance transfer times by allowing multiple ambulances to offload patients simultaneously during peak emergency periods.

Questions remain over whether Maroondah Hospital will receive additional emergency department infrastructure as part of the Ambulance Victoria funding initiative.

In response to questions about emergency care in the Yarra Ranges, Eastern Health confirmed that Healesville Hospital does not provide emergency department services.

A spokesperson from Eastern Health told Star Mail, “Ambulance access is less critical in this location.”

Eastern Health did not provide further comment regarding broader budget allocations.

While political debate has focused heavily on Maroondah Hospital, the broader Victorian healthcare sector has cautiously welcomed the government’s overall 2026 $32 billion healthcare investment package.

The Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA) described the budget as a “positive step” toward future-proofing healthcare, particularly through investments in virtual care, preventative health programs and hospital maintenance.

Chief Executive at the VHA Leigh Clarke said the budget supported innovation and care closer to home.

“These investments will enable the system to deliver the essential care and services Victorians require now and into the future” Ms Clarke said.

However, the organisation also warned the budget missed opportunities around mental health, digital infrastructure and long-term funding certainty.

Importantly, the VHA noted the need for coordinated, system-wide infrastructure, strategically aligned with population growth and community demand.

This warning may have some weight for residents of the Yarra Ranges who continue to wait for clarity on whether Maroondah Hospital’s long-promised redevelopment will move beyond the planning stage.

With another state election approaching, healthcare infrastructure is once again emerging as a defining issue for communities throughout the Yarra Ranges and across Victoria.

Victoria’s health system will account for a quarter of budget spending next financial year, the biggest total expense.

Infrastructure spending is slated to continue to dive from its dizzying heights during the Covid pandemic, falling from $24.2 billion in 2023/24 to $15.3 billion in 2029/30. There remains no completion date for a long-awaited rail line to Melbourne airport, while the contentious Suburban Rail Loop remains on track to cost between $30 billion to $34.5 billion and be completed by late 2035.

Yarra Ranges residents are left waiting for confirmation on Maroondah Hospital upgrades. (Stewart Chambers : 274922).

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes delivers the State Budget 2026/27 speech at the State Parliament, Tuesday, 5 May, 2026. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Healesville SES changes guard

By Gabriella Vukman

The winds of change have swept through the Healesville SES, with a new unit controller taking the lead as of Monday 4 May.

After a successful two-year stint of revitalisation for the unit, Karen Picone has passed the baton to longtime SES and CFA member David Singleton.

While Ms Picone is stepping down from her Unit Controller duties, she will not be stepping away from the Healesville SES.

“I took over in May 2024 when I was asked to come back and assist the unit getting back on its feet,” Ms Picone said.

“We only had eight members back then when I joined, whereas now we’ve got around 30.”

Returning to the role in 2024 after being approached by the regional manager, Ms Picone had the goal of rebuilding the struggling unit.

“There was no leadership group when I started. So my first thing was to get a unit management team together,” she said.

Over the past two years, the unit has steadily grown both its volunteer base and operational capacity, with eight members recently completing their crew member level two assessment, qualifying them to head out on trucks and begin specialist training.

Ms Picone said the unit’s strong sense of community has been central to its success.

“We’re like a family.”

“We all have the common goal of wanting to assist people when they need it,” she said.

“I think we are close because we’re not a really large unit, we know each other and we care about each other.”

New recruit Danielle Melluso said Ms Picone had helped create a welcoming and supportive culture within the unit.

“I met Karen when I first started and she was awesome,” Ms Melluso said.

“She was very caring, almost like a mother figure sort of vibe,” she said.

“She really cares for everybody but when something needs to be done or there’s a topic that needs to be spoken about, she’s not afraid to talk about it and sort things out quickly.”

Stepping into the leadership role is David Singleton, who brings more than two decades of emergency services experience, including 10 years with the SES and another decade as a forest firefighter.

Ms Picone said Mr Singleton was the natural

choice to lead the unit into its next chapter.

“David has a lot of experience in the SES, but also he was a professional firefighter. He was in Marysville through Black Saturday,” she said.

“He’s very calm. He has the respect of the membership and I just felt that he was the right person for the job.”

Mr Singleton said he was very happy with the state of the Unit that Ms Picone had left for him and noted his operational background and

Emergency services respond to collision near Yering

By Gabriella Vukman

On Thursday 7 May, emergency services were called to a serious two-vehicle collision on Melba Highway near Chateau Yering.

The incident occurred shortly before 3.30pm, and prompted a large emergency response including rescue crews, paramedics and helicopters.

Witnesses noted vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam as a result of the scene, for long periods of time.

Volunteers from the Lilydale SES Unit were mobilised in under 90 seconds after reports of the crash were received.

Upon arrival, crews from the Coldstream CFA Fire Brigade confirmed that one person was trapped inside an overturned vehicle.

SES rescue operators, assisted by CFA firefighters, worked to safely extricate the patient shortly after paramedics from Ambulance Victoria arrived on scene.

The injured driver was later transferred to a helicopter emergency medical service and transported to hospital for treatment.

Authorities have used the incident as a reminder for motorists to drive according to road conditions, particularly during periods of wet weather following extended dry conditions, when roads can become especially hazardous.

In a statement following the incident, Lilydale SES Unit volunteers confirmed they had responded to reports of a vehicle crash near Yering and located one patient who was mechanically trapped and required extrication before being handed into the care of paramedics.

The crash has renewed concerns about safety along the Melba Highway corridor near Chateau Yering, an area long regarded by locals and emergency responders as a frequent accident hotspot.

The incident comes after a woman died in hospital following a collision at the same location in 2025.

In response to ongoing safety concerns, authorities previously announced speed limit reductions along sections of Melba Highway between Maroondah Highway and Yarra Glen while investigations and roadworks were undertaken.

experience mentoring newer members made him well suited to the role.

“I’ve got the most operational experience of anyone currently in the SES at Healesville,” Mr Singleton said.

“Because we’ve got quite a large crop of relatively new members, being the controller is a good place to pass on skills and knowledge, particularly around safety to some of our newer members.”

Mr Singleton said the Healesville SES remained eager to welcome new volunteers.

“We’re always welcoming new members, which is really good,” he said.

Despite stepping down from the Unit Controller role, Ms Picone said she would remain actively involved with the unit, returning to more administrative duties, much like when she first joined the SES all those decades ago.

Trashed campsite angers locals

By Oliver Winn

Scenes of an abandoned camp full of dumped rubbish has sparked outrage from locals in the Upper Yarra.

Five smashed up gazebos, a dilapidated caravan filled with discarded food, a trailer filled with big TVs and large piles of rubbish sit enclosed by chain-link fencing at the site.

Millgrove local Justin Cole found out about the camp on Eildon-Warburton Rd in the Big River State Forest 18 months ago when people were reportedly living there.

But he said it wasn’t only until he went past it on the first weekend of May that he found it trashed and abandoned.

“It just looks terrible, you know, you have to go in there just to see for yourself. It’s a biit of an eye opener when you walk in there.”

Dom Nicholls from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) was working alongside Victoria Police to find those responsible.

“DEECA is aware of the abandoned camp on Eildon-Warburton Rd in Big River State Forest, east of Cambarville.

“The site is subject to Victoria Police investigations and DEECA is liaising with Victoria Police on next steps,” the FFMV assistant deputy chief officer for the Hume region said.

Mr Cole took to the Warburton/Millgrove Noticeboard to share what he’d found on 4 May and the post received over 400 likes and 270 comments.

He said it costs DEECA a lot of money to deal with cases like this as tip fees are expensive.

“They probably are going to be trying to find some funding to do it because it’s gonna be pretty expensive operation to get rid of everything that’s there,” he said.

Mr Cole said the camp had been occupied around 18 months ago, where two men reportedly were living at the time.

Mr Cole said he bumped into one of the campers who told Mr Cole he was a roofer and a logging protester who’d moved into the bush to “get away from the city”

Though no logging protests were taking place at the time due to court action between conservation groups and DEECA.

Mr Cole offered to assist DEECA with the clean up and suggested to set up an account where people can donate to pay for the tip fees.

Mr Cole said the situation surrounding the camp was a mystery.

“Who knows, he could have had the intention of cleaning it up one day but then it just got too far, out of hand, who knows.

“But it’s a mess, I know that,” he said.

Under those changes, speed limits near the Chateau Yering bend were reduced to 60 kilometres per hour, with further reductions to 40 kilometres per hour in active work zones.

Lilydale SES Unit Controller Shaun Caulfield told Star Mail late last year, following a series of crashes attended by SES crews, that many incidents on the bend involved vehicles travelling from Yarra Glen towards Lilydale.

“Generally, without speaking about those specific accidents, the main cause there is people just going too fast into that corner,” he told Star Mail.

Police have urged motorists to remain patient and cautious while travelling through the area.

Karen receiving an appreciation award for her service. (Michelle Zwagerman).

New Unit Controller David Singleton with Operations Manager from Unit Support East Metro Jule Syme. (Michelle Zwagerman).

The vehicle was found fully flipped along Maroondah Highway. (Devon Walker).

There were lengthy delays as traffic banked up in the area. (Devon Walker).

Victoria are the leading agency for the incident. (Devon Walker).

The abandoned camp was found on EildonWarburton Road. (Justin Cole)

The site was strewn with rubbish. (Justin Cole)

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Merger marks oneyear anniversary

It was a year ago that one of the Yarra Ranges’ leading community health services, Inspiro, merged with Access Health and Community (AccessHC).

May marks the first anniversary of the merger and with it, the growth of essential health and wellbeing services for the region.

AccessHC chief executive officer Anna Robinson said the merger allowed the organisation to expand quality services for the district and provide closer-to-home care.

“Since merging, we have grown to provide more health and community services for Yarra Ranges communities, while continuing to provide the Inspiro services that the community knows and loves,” she said.

“A merger is no easy undertaking – particularly in such a rapidly changing sector – and, while there’s still more work to be done, we are proud to be delivering these vital services for the com-

munity.”

Two additions in particular were the expansion of child and family services and the opening of the Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in December last year.

“We have significantly grown our child and family services, improving access for local families, who previously had to travel, pay for private services or miss out on care,” Ms Robinson said.

“Paediatric speech pathology and occupational therapy are now available to school-age children, which recognises the complexity of this life stage. In the last 12 months, we have almost doubled the amount of speech pathology on offer.”

In its first three months, the Lilydale UCC saw over 2000 people in need of urgent care and demand continues to grow month-by-month.

The clinic bulk-bills and is open seven days a week for extended hours, without the requirement of a referral or appointment.

The Federal Government’s data indicated that around 32 per cent of presentations in 2023-24 to Maroondah Hospital’s Emergency Department were for semi-urgent or non-urgent conditions.

Urgent Care Clinics were designed to treat injuries and illnesses on the severe end of the scale, but that did not require hospitalisation.

“Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has filled a gap in local services. We treat a high number of injuries, which tells us that this type of service is vital in the outer east region,” Ms Robinson said.

“The clinic is helping people in the Yarra Ranges get the care they need, when and where they need it, and is reducing pressure on emergency departments.”

Inspiro still operates its Belgrave and Lilydale locations, providing essential health services to the community.

For more information on local community

How a local support program transformed Celeste’s journey to motherhood

By Mikayla van Loon

For first time mum Celeste and her now fourmonth-old boy, Teo, having access to one of Inspiro’s newest program offerings, Healthy Mums, Healthy Babies, made a huge difference during and after her pregnancy.

After connecting with Eastern Health’s Specialist Maternity Services (SMS), the Lilydale mum was referred to Inspiro for extra support, both financially and for her mental wellbeing.

Celeste and her partner were going through significant financial difficulties at the time and were under a lot of stress.

“(My partner) was going through mental health struggles, and I was supporting him, and the family, and obviously having a baby, and shifting the way you work, not being able to work, all the changes, it’s a lot of change and transition,” Celeste said.

“They were able to make us feel more prepared and ease that anxiety and that stress, because (Teo) was due Christmas day, so it was a combination of that time of year as well.”

Initially, just seeking financial help to purchase a car seat, Celeste said what they received instead was completely beyond what she expected and made a world of difference.

The service included a mixture of phone call check-ins and house visits during and after her pregnancy.

Each time health professionals Gabby or Anna visited, they’d “really go above and beyond” , bringing food, nappies or a carload of baby items, things Celeste hadn’t even thought of, mostly donated through St Kilda Mums.

Having an emergency caesarean, Celeste said in the weeks after Teo was born, they even offered to walk the dog, fold washing or take her shopping.

“I cried a few times because I didn’t expect the generosity. We’ve had a lot of different services supporting us with different things, and I honestly feel like their service provided us the most helpful support.

“Financially, it just really saved us, because you need a lot of stuff for a baby. Both Gabby and Anna, in particular, I think, between them they have at least eight kids or something, so they were very validating as well.”

Knowing she was always meant to be a mum, Celeste said she loves being Teo’s mum, but it was everything else that came with pregnancy, birth and the adjustment to motherhood that was the most challenging.

“I feel like being the mum is the easy part. It’s everything else that’s the hard part.

“It’s a big adjustment and transition, trying to figure out how to go about living life and what we’re going to do with certain areas of our life. Obviously, you lose a lot of your time as a mum, but that’s never been the hard part.”

Being on the receiving end of community support and donations of essential baby items, Celeste said, once she was done with Teo’s newborn essentials, she was going to donate those back to a service like St Kilda Mums and encouraged others to do the same.

She also wanted to encourage mums to seek help and support from their community or family because “if one thing can help you along the way, it’s worth it”

“I think a lot of mums struggle and suffer in silence and expect to just have it all put together. But I think if you just say, ‘Hey, I’m not coping so well’ or ‘I’m not doing so good’ , you actually can seek the help you need and make it easier for everyone.

“You don’t have to sit there and struggle or be a martyr. I’ve noticed a lot of new mums have this lost energy about them. It’s like they’re trying to

health services, call (03) 9738 8801

grapple with all the newness, and they’re struggling internally, but think they have to figure it out for themselves.”

Learning from her own experience, Celeste said, “connect with your community” Healthy Mums, Healthy Babies is a State Government program, facilitated in the Yarra Ranges by Inspiro and Eastern Health, to provide region-wide support for women who need additional help during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth.

Urgent care hits 3000 presentations in five months

By Mikayla van Loon

Having just ticked over 3000 visits to Lilydale’s urgent care clinic in as little as five months, the figures attest to the use and benefit of having this middle-ground health service in the region.

Urgent care manager Katelyn said from day one, when there was a line of people waiting to access the 17 Clarke Street clinic, it filled a gap in healthcare access for the Yarra Ranges.

“It’s become evident that it’s a program and a service that’s really needed in the Yarra Valley because of how busy it’s been since day one,” she said.

From minor burns and breaks to soft tissue injuries and dog bites, as well as flus and Covid, the small team of doctors and nurses has seen lots and at all hours of their general 8am to 10pm day.

Katelyn said, aside from treating injury and illness, the key benefits of the clinic have gone beyond physical care and become a place in between when people don’t know where to go or what to do.

“When you’re injured, or you’re really unwell, the whole system can be really confusing, particularly because there are lots of layers, and it’s really hard to know the right place to go,” she said.

“Being able to have an open door where you’re met with really lovely and engaging staff who at

least can help you navigate that, whether we were able to treat you in-house, which is our aim, but even for the times where we have to send patients down to the hospital or to their GP, we’re able to help patients navigate that.”

This was especially true for parents with young children, who might need after-hours care or reassurance, or people who can’t get in to see their normal doctor.

Urgent care clinics were designed to treat non-life-threatening conditions to keep hospitals clear for emergency cases.

Katelyn said, “We’ve certainly been able to help a lot of people stay out of ED” by treating as many people as possible at the clinic, as well as using their relationship with Eastern Health to ensure people who do need emergency care can access it.

“There will be times when we might have to send people on who really do just need the hospital, but even in those cases, we’re still able to help them initially and then get them ED.

“So it’s never a waste to turn up to our clinic, because we’re able to help you navigate what the right place for you is. We obviously aim as much as we can to service people in-house.

“We’re helping the community understand that urgent care is not an emergency department, and there will be times when people do need emergency, but we’re still able to help them get

Urgent care manager Katelyn said the clinic has been so well-received by the community. (Stewart Chambers: 551806)

there.”

Coming into winter and the peak of the infectious disease season, Katelyn said the clinic was preparing for a rise in presentations.

This includes increasing stock levels for testing equipment, setting up an isolation room to help separate infectious diseases from the general waiting room and having everything on hand to treat conditions like asthma and acute exacerbations of colds and flus.

Each morning and afternoon shift has one doctor, one nurse and a customer service officer onsite.

While a small team, Katelyn said they all feel positive about what the service has been able to achieve so far and were encouraged by the community’s feedback.

“Being able to treat people quickly in-house on the day, get to a resolution on the day, and then being able to discharge them home, usually in pretty good spirits, or after a very positive experience, it’s really rewarding.

“It’s really exciting to be part of a service that’s really impacting the community in a good way.”

Only being five months into providing this service, Katelyn said there were, of course, some teething issues and “we’re still improving every day”

“We’re still growing. We’re still working out how many staff we need and what facilities we need.”

Looking to grow both in staff and services, Katelyn said it was expected that by the end of the year, the clinic would be able to provide radiology and ultrasound onsite.

Being connected to a community health organisation, Katelyn said, also came with benefits, enabling urgent care clinic staff to refer people on, should they need further care or assistance.

People are invited to call the clinic on 9738 8888 before attending or pop in without an appointment or referral.

More information can be found at: accesshc. org.au/urgent-care-lilydale/ including a live tracker of wait times in the clinic.

Lilydale’s Urgent Care Clinic team Casey, Carla, Katelyn, Reece and Alex have been supporting the community since December 2025. (Stewart Chambers: 551806)

The UCC is located at Inspiro’s 17 Clarke Street, Lilydale main office. (551806)

Lilydale mum Celeste and her son Teo. (Stewart Chambers: 551856)

Four-month-old Teo was born on 2 January 2026. (551856)

Celeste and her partner received financial and mental health support through Inspiro’s Healthy Mums, Healthy Babies program. (551856)

Joe and his kelpies sweep the floor at trials

By Oliver Winn

A Don Valley man and his two kelpies took the Beloka Easter Sheep Dog Trials by storm in April, taking the top positions in multiple categories.

Joe Minicuci, alongside his two trusty kelpies Ava and Banjo, have been training for five years for the competition that puts working kelpies and their owners to the test.

Mr Minicuci took the top two spots in the City Slickers category, with Ava winning first and Banjo coming in second.

He said it was a great feeling to win after committing countless hours into training his two kelpies.

“The feeling is good, because when you’ve done a clean run, your dogs have worked with you so well, you just feel it,” he said.

The competition was hosted by the kelpie stud, Beloka Kelpies, in Welshpool. Run by Paul Macphail and his partner Anneke Homan, the stud started in 1992 where it has been breeding and training dogs ever since.

Working kelpies are then put to the test at the Beloka Annual Sheep Dog Trials where farmers and dog owners from all over compete in the exciting competition.

Mr Minicuci also won third place in the Working Dog category with Ava, and the athletic Banjo secured second in the Farm Agility category.

During each trial, owners and their kelpies are tasked with herding six sheep through a series of small paddocks. Starting with 100 points, competitors lose points for each mistake they make, and the one with the most points wins.

Mr Minicuci said it was a game of control and composure.

“So you need to control your dog. You need a good sit and stop on your dog. And then, you’ve got to clear the gate because the sheep always run to the gate.”

“But throughout the course, it’s the way the sheep and the dog work with you, because if the dog crosses you, you’re losing points,” Mr Minicuci said.

The City Slickers category is for those who don’t regularly run livestock, attracting hobby farmers or dog owners from suburbia. These

courses tend to be easier in difficulty.

Mr Minicuci said his two kelpies, Banjo and Ava, are two opposites in personality that complement each other perfectly.

“Banjo is everyone’s dog, he’ll go up to everyone and he just loves everyone and just wants pets,” he said.

Rotary celebrates community spirit

By Gabriella Vukman

There was much chatter at the Healesville RSL on Monday, 4 May, as locals gathered for the Rotary Club of Healesville’s Ron Goding Excellence award night.

The happy recipient of the award was Bluegum Metal Workers and Co, who were selected for the award for their craftsmanship, adaptability, and sustained commitment to the community.

A Healesville-based family business, Bluegum Metal Workers, was established in 1990 by John and Sue Bleumink and has grown from a backyard workshop to one of Australia’s finest steelwork businesses.

Dedicated to recognising business excellence and community service, the Ron Goding Excellence Award perpetuates the memory of the late Rotarian Ron Goding, who was a charter member and former president of the Rotary Club of Healesville.

Mr Goding’s high ethical standards in his saw-milling business and commitment to his local community set an example for local traders, hence the naming of the Ron Goding Excellence Award after him.

From starting with gates and balustrades to tackling impossible spiral staircases and venturing where other metalworkers would not go, this year’s Ron Goding Excellence Award recipient has gone from humble beginnings to rising to the top of their industry.

Co-owner of Bluegum Metal Workers, Sue Bleumink, said, “We were very honoured and very surprised to receive the award on Monday, but it was very nice.”

“We weren’t looking for any recognition, but it was so nice that we got it, especially since John has been doing this for so long,” she said.

“It was a great night, and we’re very thankful.”

Sue enjoys working alongside her husband, John and son Adam.

“It is really good working in a family business,” Sue said.

“We all get on very well.”

Starting off as a blacksmith in Wandin, co-founder of Bluegum Metal Workers, John Bleumink, moved back home to Healesville with his wife to turn their fireplace tools business into

something bigger.

From building their own home, to raising a family in the area, John and his family have done work for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, working on toilets, offices and barbecues in Toolangi, and Badger Creek.

Now the Bluegum business is always busy, with most of their clients discovering them via word of mouth.

A day at the factory usually starts at 7 am and finishes at 4:30 pm for Sue and her family.

“We are always busy, so it’s hectic with locals coming in to pick up steel and all the other odd jobs we do,” Sue said.

“People always come back to us because we make the effort to fix anything that is not to our clients’ liking.”

Sue and her husband moved to Healesville 37 years ago.

“We started doing brass fire screens on the side and then slowly built up the business,” she said.

“We started at home, and now we’ve grown a lot.”

For Sue and John’s son Adam Bleumink, it took a few trips around the world and an unfinished engineering degree to realise his place was at home with his family, working for his parents’ business.

“I was at RMIT doing civil engineering for two years, when Dad got sick and I had to run the business for a month,” Adam said.

“Around that time I was also playing snooker for Australia. I got called up to go to Belgium to represent Australia and then the next week I got a call to represent Australia in England,” he said.

“RMIT said I couldn’t take that much time off, so I deferred for a year and worked for dad.”

After realising he enjoyed working for the family business, Adam quit university and committed to a full-time career as the manager of Bluegum Steel Workers.

“I thought ‘Why do a whole lot of education when I’ve got a job that I can already do?’,” Adam said.

While Adam at first found it daunting to be thrown in the deep end, dealing with high-end clients early on, now he finds it normal.

“I really enjoy what I do,” Adam said.

On the community service side, Bluegum Metal Workers sponsor the Healesville Soccer Club, store all of Healesville’s Christmas decorations, have helped with the Yarra Valley Railway volunteer project, and provide aid to local elderly people.

This all comes after Sue’s years of volunteering at the Healesville Primary School council, being on the Auskick and Basketball committees, and helping out at the local pony club.

Terry Hill from the Healesville Soccer Club had only good words to say about the Bleumink family and their community efforts, remarking on the humble natures and community spirit.

“Bluegum has done a lot for the Healesville Soccer Club,” Mr Hill wrote in his speech.

“They have not contributed real, lasting infrastructure for us, including the firewood storage, the outdoor tables, the illuminated signage at the front of the clubrooms, and they have also stepped in with alterations and maintenance inside our kitchen,” the speech read.

Mr Hill also noted the effect of having a company such as Bluegum Steel Workers sponsor a local club.

“When a local business of Bluegum’s standing puts their name behind a club like ours, it does something for the people inside it,” Mr Hill’s speech read.

“It tells our players, our families and our volunteers that they matter and that what they are doing is worth something to the wider community.”

Approximately 35 people attended the night, including John and Sue Bleumink and their Son Matt and his family.

Local MP Aaron Violi was also in attendance

“Ava is more a working dog, she’s just loyal to me and won’t listen to anybody else. She’s committed to me because she’s not a real working dog but she’s got a great work ethic, so she’s very focused on the sheep.”

Banjo won the Farm Agility trial, which tests the kelpie’s physical agility.

“Banjo loves farm agility because… he’ll try anything and do anything you ask him to do.

“He will go up a ramp. He’ll go through a pipe, he’s not afraid to do anything. So you point him in the right direction and he’ll do it.”

Mr Minicuci said he was fascinated with the working kelpies and their natural instincts.

“What I enjoy most is just watching the dogs work the sheeps. They’re so smart, it’s just amazing what the dogs can do, it’s natural instincts. They just listen to your commands, it’s amazing. It’s just really good for your dog.”

While Mr Minicuci is competing, the world goes quiet. He slips into a separate world - one where the only things on his mind are his kelpies and the sheep.

“For me, everything that’s on the outside just disappears. That’s how focused and tuned out you are to everything else.”

an evening that

and commended Bluegum for its role in setting an example for small businesses and industry throughout the Casey electorate.

President of the Healesville Historical Society Bryn Jones won the evening’s raffle and received the prize of one of Bluegum’s original fireplace accessories, valued at approximately $600.

Last year’s winner, the owner of Montesanto Coffee Roasters Mario Morales attended and handed over the burl to John and his family who also received a certificate, wall clock and a plaque. Vocational Director at the Rotary Club of Healesville, Clifton Maberly noted Monday evening went smoothly.

“It all went very well, and the Bleuminks never expected any of it.”

Mr Maberly’s favourite part of the evening was witnessing all of the attendees’ positive feedback about the award recipient.

Mr Minicuci with Ava. (Supplied)

Mr Minicuci with his kelpie Banjo. (Supplied)

The Bleumink family graciously received their award. (Clifton Maberly).

It was

was well-attended by the local community (Clifton Maberly).

Local MP Aaron Violi attended and delivered a speech. (Clifton Maberly).

Warburton resident Wilhelmina turns 100

By Oliver Winn

Adventcare Yarra Ranges celebrated a residents’ centenary on 5 May.

100-year-old Wilhelmina Mary Barnes was surrounded by loving family and friends at Adventcare, and she said it was “overwhelming” to have reached 100-years-old.

When asked about her secret to making it this far, she said being content in her life and having the Lord’s assistance were what helped her the most.

“To be satisfied with what you have and not want more,” she said wisely.

Over the years, she said she’d formed many relationships which would guide her through life.

“I’d say people around me have been a big portion of my life, especially since I’ve been married. Because before I was married we lived a very quiet life, you know, out in the bush and up in the mountain, but since I’ve been here I’ve met so many lovely people,” Wilhelmina said.

Adventcare Yarra Ranges facility manager Jody James delivered a speech to the room and said what Wilhelmina had achieved was amazing.

“What an incredible thing to think that you’re able to celebrate a hundred years,” Ms James said.

“Just looking around at all the people that actually wanted to come and share that with you, it’s an incredible experience and one that I know that you’re grateful for, but you also take very seriously.”

Wilhelmina received a letter of honour from King James, the Premier of Victoria and the Governor-General, while Casey MP Aaron Violi and State Eildon MP Cindy McLeish also sent their regards.

Wilhelmina was born in Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula, where she spent her childhood against the backdrop of the ocean. She was the first of seven children and eventu-

ally she moved to the La Trobe Valley, where she spent the majority of her life.

She met her husband Joseph George Barnes in Warragul, describing the moment she met him with a sense of fondness and appreciation.

“Well, I had to go to Warragul to have my teeth seen to, and well, we met the local pastor, and he took us to lunch at his place one day,” she said.

“When I walked into the house, there was three young men there, and the pastor and his sister, too. He was aiming to get me for Joe’s elder brother, but no way,” she laughed.

“I couldn’t go past Joe, he was just so wonderful.”

The pair was married for 57 years until Mr Barnes sadly died in 2001.

Wilhelmina has great talent working with her hands, being a competent knitter since her youth.

But, she showed how it’s never too late to learn another hobby, taking up painting only five years ago when she moved to Adventcare.

“I paint reasonably well, everyone here says so,” she said.

She is quite happy at Adventcare Yarra Ranges and she said the staff there were “lovely”

At 100-years-old, Wilhelmina remains impressively independent and still loves to get out and about. Ms James said it was clear that Wilhelmina’s fire was still burning brightly.

“It’s obvious that you still have a zest for life and you still have a purpose,” Ms James said.

Wilhelmina wore a wise smile at Adventcare Yarra Ranges. (Oliver Winn: 551809)

Warburton love story still blooming after 70 years

By Oliver Winn

For Warburton couple Norm and Joan Way, the key to their long lasting marriage is loving not only each other, but also the community they live in.

Ever since they met, they’ve cared for both their relationship and the township of Warburton — now they will mark seven decades of love on 20 May with their 70th wedding anniversary.

The pair have lived their entire lives in Warburton, first meeting each other at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 40s and later marrying in 1956.

Norm said they were always there for people who were doing it tough in life.

“We feel that we’ve helped a lot of people. Anybody down and out, we’re first there, you know, somebody’s sick or something, the next thing’s Joan’s making soup,” he said.

“We’ve done a lot in the way of community work, and I was in the rural fire brigade, and in my later years, I started up with the SES.”

Joan spent her time volunteering at Adcare while also supporting Benwerren in Yarra Junction and the Millwarra Primary School.

She was born at the Warburton Hospital and said the township was perfect for the pair growing up.

“I was born here. There’s not very many left I don’t think.

“Well, we think because you can go down to the city for a day but then come back to this beautiful area, it’s great,” Joan said.

Norm described how they met at a social function at the church. They’d been friends for many years, having both worked at Signs Publishing, but Norm never seemed to find an opening to ask her out.

“Joan always seemed to have plenty of friends around her. But eventually, one night, we were at a meeting in the church and I asked her if she minded if I’d take her home and walk home with her,” he said.

“That was actually the start when we started goingtogether.Thatwouldbearoundabout1952.”

About six weeks later, he proposed and they later married in 1956.

Luckily, Norm had bought a block of land on

Donna Buang Road before he got with Joan, because it “might come in handy one day”

Using their own hands, the pair built a house by themselves with little professional help.

They would live in that house up until only three and a half years ago.

Norm said they “had their differences” but that’s a part of life.

“Joan doesn’t always agree with what I suggest, but we work along together. We’ve never had any conflicts or anything like that.”

Joan described themselves as “rather sporty” , taking up many sports and even skiing together until they were 80-years-old.

“We took up golf as we got older and on our holidays we used to go to Mallacoota,” she said.

When it comes to staying healthy for all these years, Norm said being vegetarian and having the Lord on their side were key.

“With our living, we are vegetarian, and we put that down to a long life. I wasn’t on any tablets until about two years ago, never had a tablet

in the life, other than an occasional aspirin or something like that,” he said.

“And Joan was much the same, but yeah, we don’t worry about vitamins pills and all that sort of stuff.”

The pair don’t know what’s planned for their anniversary — the children have that under wraps — but they were both excited to be celebrating their love for the 70th time.

“There’s a lot of things that we have achieved, and that’s pretty special,” Joan said.

Joan and Norm Way have lived in Warburton for 70 years. (Oliver Winn: 551989)

Snow coats the region

A generous coating of snow powdered mountain peaks of the Yarra Ranges and Dandenong Ranges, marking the first significant snowfall of 2026. It turned the landscape into a winter wonderland.

Ten centimetres of snow fell on the night of 6 May, reaching as low as 500 metres.

Snowfall was seen in Reefton and even Olinda on Mount Dandenong.

SkyHigh and the Mount Dandenong Primary

School also reported snowfall. Locals took to Facebook to share photos they’d captured of the snowfall.

But, the snowfall made driving conditions dangerous on Mount Donna Buang.

Healesville SES reaches next level

By Gabriella Vukman

Eight members of the Healesville SES are right and ready to receive operational duties, having successfully completed their Crew Member Level Two assessments.

Taking place on Saturday, 2 May, the assessment day began at 10 am with a written test, followed by a series of tasks such as diverting water and stabilising a fake fallen tree.

After a nice lunch together with the crew, all eight members who attended the assessment were informed that they had passed.

Healesville SES member Dominica Molluso was one of the eight members to complete the assessment.

“We had been practising as supervised crew members with a certified trainer for a couple of months before the assessment,” Ms Molluso said.

“The assessment itself was a really fun day,” she said.

“It was very exciting that everybody passed.”

Now that she has completed her Level Two assessment, Ms Molluso no longer has to be under supervision for every operation.

Ms Molluso said, “Now we get to learn new things, so you can do a full driving course, and you can also get your certificate to do chainsawing.”

While the option to do road crash rescue is also

on the table for SES members who have completed their assessment, Ms Melluso is happy to stick to chainsawing.

“I am personally excited to do the full drive course and the chainsaw course,” she said.

Known as ‘The Lucky Charm’ due to her first five jobs being called off, joining the SES was always on the cards for Ms Melluso.

“Joining the SES has always been something I have wanted to do.”

“Initially, I thought of going to the CFA, but the SES has a better variety of things to learn, and it has given me so many life skills,” she said.

“I’m a local to Healesville, so I thought, ‘Why not do something for the community?’”

Having joined just over a year ago, Ms Melluso already feels at home with the team.

“The whole group gels so well together,” she said.

“We all go to the pub sometimes to have a drink together, and if any of us needs anything in the town on a random day, we put our hands up to help each other.”

“It’s really nice.”

Ms Melluso emphasised that the SES is a great place for young people.

“I am 26 and am one of the youngest, and I love it” , she said.

“It would be awesome to see more young people

joining up.”

In terms of time commitment, Ms Melluso noted the SES is flexible and can work around availability.

“We do training on Monday night, and as long as you attend all your trainings, it’s pretty cruisy,” she said.

SES member Jimmy Cubbon was also one of the members who completed their assessment on Saturday.

“The best thing about being an SES member is getting to work alongside your colleagues,” Mr Cubbon said.

“We’ve all got really close over the past year through going out on jobs and doing training every Monday night,” he said.

“We’re all from very different walks of life, and we’ve really enjoyed getting to know each other.”

Mr Cubbon noted the assessment itself was an enjoyable experience.

“For the assessment it was great to know that we could all trust our colleagues to have our backs as we worked on all of the different tasks,” he said.

“It makes it all worthwhile.”

Originally from Brunswick, Mr Cubbon and his wife moved to Healesville six years ago, for the region’s beauty and close sense of community.

“Living in a small town, you become really aware of the community and we’re a massive town,

so the ability to give something back and volunteer is something that all of us really value,” Mr Cubbon said.

“Whether it is a tree tree falling down on someone’s house or blocking a road or a road crash, the fact that we will drop everything and dash to the scene to help, makes this all feel really great.”

Mr Cubbon plans to finish his road crash, roof and chainsaw training over the next few months.

“Before the assessment we were just crew members supervised and we’d go along and help, but but now this unlocks our ability to do proper training and to do the really serious stuff,” he said.

“I think the unit are really excited to have these eight members who are really chomping at the bit to be able to get into the really exciting things.”

The eight newly fully operational members of Healesville SES are Jimmy, Amanda, Laurice, Dee, Drew, Daniel, James and Greg.

Donna Buang Road was closed in both directions between Acheron Way, Warburton and Donna Buang Summit Road due to snowfall. The Warburton Bike Park also closed its upper mountain trails due to the snow.

Tyre tracks along Mt Donna Buang Rd. (Mountain Tucker)

It was a cold and chilly morning, with Warburton reaching one degrees. (Ann Whitlock)

People woke to sleet on their decks and verandahs. (Ann Whitlock)

Warburton resident Ann Whitlock captured snow falling on Mt Victoria. (Ann Whitelock)

Snowfall reached as low as 500 metres. (Ann Whitelock)

Left to right: Jimmy, Amanda, Laurice, Dee, Drew, Daniel, James and Greg. (Michelle Zwagerman).

EDUCATION WEEK

Welcome to St Joseph’s Primary School

Nestled within 17 acres of beautiful bushland, St Joseph’s Primary School offers an exceptional learning environment where students are inspired to grow, achieve and thrive. Combining outstanding facilities with a strong sense of community, St Joseph’s provides a dynamic and nurturing educational experience for every child.

Our expansive grounds and contemporary learning spaces support a rich and engaging curriculum. Students enjoy access to outstanding indoor and outdoor facilities, including two basketball courts, a large oval, a dedicated stick play area, an indoor basketball and performance centre, a contemporary Science and Art building, a welcoming library, and spacious classrooms designed to foster creativity, collaboration and learning.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to developing the whole child. Guided by our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, we create a supportive environment where students feel safe, connected and empowered to succeed. Strong wellbeing practices are embedded throughout the school alongside explicit teaching in Literacy and Numeracy and a daily fitness program that promotes healthy, active lifestyles.

Learning at St Joseph’s Learning at St Joseph’s is grounded in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Vision for Learning and Vision for Engagement, and inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through meaningful relationships, inclusive practices and a strong emphasis on student wellbeing, our teachers create engaging and purposeful learning experiences that nurture curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Students are encouraged to become active participants in their education by setting goals, reflecting on their progress and developing positive learning habits. Restorative practices, so-

cial-emotional learning programs and consistent classroom expectations help students build respectful relationships and make positive choices both within and beyond the classroom.

We value the strong partnerships formed between school, home and parish and recognise the important role families play in each child’s learning and faith journey. Together, we foster a connected and welcoming community where every student is known, valued and supported to reach their full potential.

Literacy at St Joseph’s

St Joseph’s delivers a comprehensive and evidence-informed Literacy program that develops confident, capable readers, writers and communicators.

In Foundation to Year 2, students engage in an explicit and systematic phonics approach with a strong focus on oral language development. Through carefully sequenced instruction, students learn letter-sound relationships, blending and spelling skills, handwriting and reading fluency. Decodable texts support early reading success, while rich literature experiences build vocabulary, comprehension and a love of storytelling.

From Years 3 to 6, students continue to strengthen their literacy skills through the study of engaging class novels and a variety of reading approaches, including teacher modelling, choral reading, read-alouds and independent reading. Explicit teaching of vocabulary and comprehension strategies supports students to think critically about texts and express their understanding through meaningful discussion and written responses. Repeated partner reading further develops fluency, confidence and expressive reading skills.

Numeracy at St Joseph’s

At St Joseph’s, Numeracy learning is explicit,

engaging and hands-on. Students develop strong mathematical understanding through carefully sequenced instruction that breaks complex concepts into manageable steps.

Daily Numeracy lessons incorporate regular review and revision to strengthen retention and build confidence in previously learned skills. Students actively engage with their learning through hands-on materials, visual representations and collaborative problem-solving experiences, including the use of mini whiteboards and practical learning tools.

Our approach ensures students develop not only strong foundational skills in Mathematics, but also the confidence and critical-thinking skills needed to apply their learning in meaningful ways.

A Welcoming Community St Joseph’s Primary School is proud to be a welcoming and inclusive Catholic community where every child and family is valued. Through strong parent partnerships, dedicated staff, a

supportive parish and a shared commitment to student growth and wellbeing, we strive to create a school environment where children flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. We invite you to discover the difference a St Joseph’s education can make.

All smiles at St Joseph’s Primary School. (Supplied)

Enjoying outdoor play. (Supplied)

Coming together to learn. (Supplied)

Collaborate to educate in the Upper Yarra Schools

Upper Yarra Schools work together to unlock a powerful collective capacity to improve both student learning and wellbeing. They collaborate to ensure equity, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At the heart of this is the understanding that no single school has all the answers. Each brings its own strengths, challenges, and community context. When working in partnership, our schools can exchange ideas, compare strategies, and learn from one another’s successes and setbacks. This professional dialogue enriches teaching practice and exposes educators to diverse approaches that can be adapted to their own classrooms.

One of the most tangible benefits of collaboration is that we see improved instructional quality across all schools. As a result of our collaboration, we are able to engage in crossschool professional learning communities which provides access to a broad pool of expertise. Schools share the responsibility, and foster consistency in expectations that helps ensure that all students, regardless of which

school they attend, receive a high standard of education.

Equally important is the impact on student wellbeing. As our schools collaborate, we are able to share resources such as counselling services, wellbeing programs, and specialist staff. Joint initiatives such as mental health programs, mentoring, or inclusive education strategies create a more cohesive support network for young people.

Our collaboration also strengthens transitions between different stages of schooling. When pre-schools, primary and secondary schools work together, they can align curricula, share student information responsibly, and prepare students more effectively for the next phase of their education.

The Upper Yarra Schools collaborative approach is highly successful as we all commit to collective responsibility for every student’s success and wellbeing. We adapt, innovate, and deliver meaningful outcomes for all learners so that all students thrive.

Fun on the athletics track. (Supplied) Helping out in the community. (Supplied)

Getting crafty in the kitchen. (Supplied)

Creative with colours. (Supplied)

Cooking up a storm. (Supplied)

Outdoor play in the Upper Yarra bush. (Supplied)

Foundation takes next steps

By Gabriella Vukman

Following its successful launch on 20 April, the Yarra Valley Community Foundation is keen to take its next steps to support locals throughout the shire.

The foundation is based on six pillars: environment, energy and sustainability, education and economic participation, social justice, resilience and connection, housing, homelessness and the built environment, health and wellbeing, and culture, heritage and the arts.

The foundation’s board and executive committee consist of an array of shire locals and experts who are keen to seed new funding avenues for their local community.

Chair of the Yarra Valley Community Foundation Board Jonathan Hamer lives and works in Healesville and has a background in law.

“I was asked to become Chair by a few people in the community who were looking to set up this entity,” Mr Hamer said.

“Having a legal background, I could do all the initial setup steps such as forming a company, getting a declaration from the minister as to qualifications for being a community foundation, and getting the tax treatment that is favourable for a community foundation, among other things.”

“I have acted as a trustee for funds before, so I know how to do these things,” he said.

Now fully retired and spending most of his time wine making, Mr Hamer thought it would be “a great idea” to be a part of setting up a community foundation.

Having owned his vineyard in Healesville for 38 years, it wasn’t until Mr Hamer began living in the area full-time since his retirement 17 years ago, that he began building a closer connection to the community.

“My hopes for the future of the foundation are that it is successful in attracting donations and that it ends up being a long-term funder of charitable works in the Yarra Valley,” Mr Hamer said.

From sitting around tables and writing ideas on post-it notes, to having inspiring keynote speakers such as Ben Rogers from the Inner North Community Foundation attend the launch, Mr Hamer deemed the event a success.

Approximately 100 people attended the foundation’s launch night, a number which Mr Hamer is happy with.

“I certainly came away from the launch night thinking that there was a terrific vibe about the evening.”

“You could almost feel the people who came along thinking that this was a really good idea and being really pleased about it,” Mr Hamer said.

“At the end of the event, we had some good questions asked, and we followed them up with a session for those who wished to contribute their thoughts on what the foundation might do for the community.”

Following the launch’s ideation session, it was made evident that there was much emphasis on funding for youth in particular.

From creating safe spaces to education sup-

port, the focus was on covering an array of areas of charitable support for the valley’s young people.

According to Mr Hamer, the launch is the start of the next step for the foundation, which is to connect with the community with the purpose of finding out what locals consider to be the priorities and needs.

With an aim to raise a million dollars in the first 12 months of its operation, and five million within five years, the foundation already has one donor, who sponsored its setup and launch event.

According to Mr Hamer, the foundation’s priority now is to seek a broad donor base and establish a long-term fund.

“We see that there will be a donor base from people who have lived in the valley, who are in a position to provide a donation of some substance and also want to see that they can contribute to

the future of the valley,” Mr Hamer said.

“We will also be seeking funds from other large philanthropic organisations who would be interested in making sure that a community foundation gets off the ground, and there are some very large funds who would see the benefits of the sorts of things we are trying to achieve.”

“The main idea is that we receive donations and invest them, instead of immediately passing them on,” he said.

It is the foundation’s returns from investments that will be distributed among the community.

Mr Hamer estimated that it would be approximately twelve months until the fund has enough money earned through donations to be able to start making grants to the community.

Despite the foundation’s first aim being to establish a solid donor base and permanent fund, Mr Hamer noted that the foundation may be able to start funding community projects anytime, provided it receives donations on the basis that they are spent immediately.

Chair of Executive Strategy Committee Charlie Simpson also considered the foundation’s launch night to be a huge success.

“Almost all of the 100 attendees from a whole range of different areas stayed for the workshop at the end, which was fabulous,” Ms Simpson said.

“We all got to understand a little bit more about what their hopes are for the Yarra Valley.”

According to Ms Simpson, where other non-profit organisations spend a large amount of time seeking funds, the goal of the Yarra Valley Community Foundation is to build a fund that allows it to use the profits from investment to sup-

port the area.

“The thing I think is really different about the foundation compared to other non-profit organisations we already have in the area, is that our foundation aims to build a fund that will enable us to do the work that the valley needs for the very, very long-term,” Ms Simpson said.

With the executive arm of the foundation overseeing strategy, legal parameters and governance, the predominantly volunteer-based strategy committee is there to provide the functional aspect. Ms Simpson came to be the Chair of the committee through early involvement with the foundation.

With a background in scaling start-ups, Ms Simpson was keen to lend her expertise to the foundation.

“I have a business that supports start-ups, so I am very familiar with working with smaller organisations that are in their early days,” Ms Simpson said.

Excited for the foundation’s next steps, Ms Simpson noted she would be heavily involved in building community connections.

“I am super thrilled for the next couple of months to come,” she said.

“We will be moving into a phase of doing a lot of connecting with community members to gather their thoughts, hopes and dreams and put that into some form of document and resources that allows us to then prioritise.”

“I really hope there will be a lot of people involved in that.”

Local psychology guru talks on grief at Healesville Library

By Gabriella Vukman

When Healesville resident Bob Rich sits down to speak about grief at the Healesville Library on 21 May, he will not be speaking as an academic or expert standing at a distance from pain. He will be speaking as a father and former psychologist.

Experiencing the death of his daughter, in 2024, Mr Rich reached for an unfinished manuscript he kept stowed away in his office drawer.

It had been sitting there, incomplete for years and it wasn’t until he was going through his own form of grief, that Mr Rich knew it was time for himself, and for those around him, to finish what he had started.

The result of months of constant writing took the form of ‘The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement’ , which has turned out to be an award-winning exploration of grief, resilience and recovery.

“When my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, I got the book out and rewrote it to include my story of how I handled healing,” Mr Rich said.

Having moved to Healesville in 1978, Mr Rich retired from psychology in 2013 after decades of working with clients across the Yarra Ranges.

While he no longer practices, much of the book draws on the methods and insights he developed throughout his career.

“Everything in the book is based on research,”

Mr Rich said.

“The techniques in there are what I have used for decades in my counselling psychology practice.”

While the upcoming library talk on 21 May will centre on his grief and bereavement guide, Mr Rich said the session is also about creating connection and helping others navigate their own experiences with loss.

Through sharing his knowledge with others, Mr Rich is alleviating some of his own emotions.

“Easing the pain of others is part of easing my pain,” he said.

“It is not about fixing people up like they are broken.”

“I like to think of it, as I am on the same journey as my readers, but a bit further along, and I am extending out a hand for you to take, and come and walk with me.”

Despite the heavy subject matter, Mr Rich approaches grief with warmth and humour. One of his favourite sayings is “Life is too short for the seriousness it deserves.”

This outlook careers through his writing and public talks.

Mr Rich said, “In fact, an early chapter of the book is about turning yourself into a pogo stick.”

“The harder the world jumps on you, the higher you bounce.”

Mr Rich describes his book as “a course of therapy in your pocket,” aimed at making psy-

chological support more accessible to people struggling with grief, depression or major life upheaval.

“With a book, you get perfect confidentiality,” Mr Rich said.

Before psychology, Mr Rich originally intended to become a physicist, later changing direction after discovering a passion for human behaviour and mental health.

His career included lecturing at RMIT, work-

ing at CSIRO, nursing and eventually establishing a counselling practice in the Yarra Valley.

One of the cases he remembers most vividly involved a young couple grieving the death of their infant son.

Mr Rich said, “Bringing them to reconciliation is probably my greatest joy,” he said.

Outside his professional life, Mr Rich is also known for his environmental advocacy and commitment to simple living.

He describes himself as a “rabid greenie” and said he and his wife deliberately chose to live modestly.

“My wife and I choose to live below the official poverty line,” Mr Rich said.

“And we feel like we are living like royalty.”

According to Mr Rich, he and his wife have not owned a television since 1875, grow their own vegetables and rely heavily on homemade and op-shop clothing.

For Mr Rich, the upcoming Healesville Library event is ultimately about hope, even in the middle of grief.

“Grief is a wider term for bereavement and bereavement is grief of a dead person,” he said.

“The book is what you need when your world falls apart for any reason, and is my way of healing, through helping others to heal.”

The speech and book reading will take place at 2pm on Thursday 21 May and is free and open to anyone to attend.

The Yarra Valley Community Foundation’s launch at the memo saw over 100 people attend. (Greg Carrick).

Former Chair of Community Foundations Australia, Ben Rogers delivered a speech at the event. (Greg Carrick).

Mr Rich with the two books he will be presenting at the Library. (Gabriella Vukman: 552436).

Young people embrace Banksy

By April Stevens

Warm light was cast in a dark and narrow alley of Healesville’s east end as the Living and Learning Centre’s youth-led art project Be Like Banksy wrapped up on Tuesday 28 April.

Be Like Banksy was a free community workshop that commenced in early February for the town’s youth (ages 15 to 25).

The project’s aim was to help local youth connect to their creative selves, with a focus on stencil development, spray painting and exploring original concepts with local art experts.

Healesville Living and Learning Centre (HLLC) community development coordinator, Shona Rimmer, and other members of HLLC have worked tirelessly to secure the alleyway legally for recreational use.

The eligibility and obligations of gaining legal

permission from property owners set a precedent for a long and oftentimes difficult developmental process for HLLC, but hope was not lost.

As night fell on the 28th, the art group climbed ladders, directed their visions to be pasted on graffiti-covered brick and celebrated the finality of the workshops with pizza and music.

There was a gentle hum of excitement, but also a concentration that was wise beyond their years.

Well-known local artist and owner of Sonsie Studios, Paul Sonsie, eagerly coordinated all Be Like Banksy workshops and was seen pasting art alongside the group, including some of his own designs.

“The program is called ‘Be Like Banksy’ simply because it sounded catchy. He’s a great artist, but we really just want for you to be like you, to be like yourself,” Mr Sonsie said.

Ms Rimmer and Mr Sonsie agreed there was no big statement enforced and that creativity and mental wellness was front of mind.

“The message is that there is no message,” Ms Rimmer said.

“We’re just heading in the direction of youth, we need to let kids be kids.”

Like many youth-bound projects, HLLC felt and heard that Healesville was hesitant about the project.

Locals even asked whether art made by young people was “worth seeing”

HLLC and the young artists were not deterred.

“What is real art? What is worthy art?” Ms Rimmer asked.

“People often undervalue young voices or worry about risk. But that raw, unfiltered perspective is exactly what makes it valuable,” Mr Sonsie said.

Since the success of this workshop, youth-led art and more projects will continue to emerge in the community throughout 2026, with Healesville’s Living and Learning Centre holding the torch and leading the way.

Peer into surrealism at new exhibition in Warburton

By Oliver Winn

The Warburton Waterwheel is offering a glimpse into the abstract with its May exhibition, Mindfulness.

Hosted by Yarra Valley artist Jerry Osadczuk, Mindfulness showcases a series of vivid abstract paintings until 31 May.

Mr Osadczuk’s paintings are layered with rich texture, achieved by using many mediums and taking advantage of their individual traits. Each layer showcases a state of Mr Osadczuk’s mind, culminating in a coalescence of colour and feeling that represents the journey of creating the artwork itself.

Mr Osadczuk said this is what Mindfulness is all about.

“This exhibition is called mindfulness and I think that’s basically what it is. It’s the setting of my mind.”

“When I paint or create something I try to work in that sort of area where my feelings are at the time,” he said.

Though some paintings appear to be purely abstract, others loosely echo familiar landscapes — places one feels they’ve seen, but can’t quite pinpoint when or where.

“I do work from some photos, like places I’ve been to. But then I don’t directly copy that image. That’s the inspiration I get and the feeling I get when I’m there,” Mr Osadczuk said.

Often juggling up to six paintings at once, the floor of his garage-turned-studio is packed with paintings in progress. Mr Osadczuk said this environment inspires him the most.

“I don’t sit at one one canvas and work on that, I like to move around because that’s how I get that feeling that I’m enjoying it.”

His inspiration stems from esteemed abstract greats, such as those from the birthplace of Australian impressionism, the Heidelberg School of Art.

“I like the ones from the Heidelberg School. Those guys, I really admired them, because they worked under a lot of duress, so to speak,” Mr Osadczuk said.

Others included Australian abstract painters, Russell Drysdale and John Olsen.

Mr Osadczuk initially pursued a career in graphic design right out of high school in 1967, though he soon branched out.

“I wanted to branch out a bit, but then I just completely didn’t do any art. After that, I became a chef.”

By 1991, he found himself working as a chef in Japan, where he also studied the Japanese art of Sumi.

A form of calligraphy, Mr Osadczuk uses Sumi in a lot of his paintings, which can be seen in large, black strokes.

Upon returning to Australia in 2000, he moved to Healesville and discovered Yarra Valley Open Studios and other artist spaces and organisations.

Having lived in the Yarra Valley for 26 years, Mr Osadczuk has exhibited at the Warburton Waterwheel five times so far.

With the Warburton Waterwheel committee in a transitional state and the lease for the building nearing its end, he feared for its potential closure.

“I’ve exhibited here five times, so that’s why I’d be very sad if the place closed down. There’s just very, very little places that you can exhibit [in the Yarra Valley].”

“Because you’ve got a lot of people coming through here. If you ever read the comments book, there’s a lot of good comments and a lot of people enjoy coming here to look at art,” Mr Osadczuk said.

Though one can worry about what might happen, the future can’t be determined and largely remains out of our hands.

Perhaps then, solace lies in adopting the exhibition’s titular state of mindfulness — staring deep into the artwork and getting lost within it.

Honey working on her art. (April Stevens)

The East End alley was bathed in a soft glow as the youth-led project was installed. (April Stevens)

Paul Sonsie’s fish art. (April Stevens)

Participants designed and led the project.

Participants at work.

Jerry Osadczuk has lived in the Yarra Valley for 26 years. (Oliver Winn: 551992)

Mr Osadczuk worked as a chef in Japan before moving to the Yarra Valley. (551992)

His art evokes many layers of meaning and emotion, inviting the viewer to pause and contemplate. (551992)

Melba’s WW1 efforts

By Joy Gothe

When the guns of August 1914 thundered across Europe, the world’s reigning Queen of Opera found herself far from the glittering stages of Paris and London.

Dame Nellie Melba was at home in Australia, resting at her beloved Coombe Cottage.

The news that her “Beloved Belgians” were under attack struck her with absolute horror.

Prevented by the chaos of war from returning to Europe, the diva refused to sit idle, declaring that she would do something right there in Australia to aid the war effort.

Throwing herself into the cause with a fierce energy, she tried her hand at local relief, becoming joint president of the newly formed Lilydale Red Cross.

Their very first gathering was a traditional

knitting circle with a spectacular mismatch of talents.

Melba, who could barely hold a knitting needle, lasted exactly one day in the circle.

Realising the socks that she made would never have fitted any human being, she quickly decided that she could never knit a single sock for the soldiers, and chose to do what she did best, instead she would sing the money right out of people’s pockets.

Thus began a legendary crusade of patriotic fundraising concerts.

Melba soon earned a cheeky new title.

During a 1915 interview in America, the laughing soprano confessed that the public had stopped calling her the “Queen of Song” and had crowned her the “Queen of Pickpockets” instead.

It was a well-deserved title.

Healesville mini film festival

On March 29, the Healesville Memorial Hall hosted the twelfth annual Healesville Mini Film Festival.

The Yarra Ranges Film Society has organised a triple-feature of films every year since 2014, and this year’s Mini Film Festival had a very large, enthusiastic turn-out and the theme of great British cinema.

Directed by Lisa Mulcahy and based on the 1864 novel Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu, Lies We Tell sees orphaned heiress Maud Ruthyn (Agnes O’Casey) grapple with her cruel, domineering uncle Silas (David Wilmot) and his family.

Lies We Tell features sumptuous cinematography, an elegant score, witty dialogue laced with venom, and a low-key but gut-wrenching atmosphere of genteel passive-aggression boiling over into violence.

Wilmot juggles a nurturing front and cruel narcissism with ease as Silas. O’Casey is captivating as Maud, who is stiff and unlikeable at first, but you quickly sympathise with her as Silas insidiously exerts his authority, his family invades her life and her fine manor becomes a prison, tightening the patriarchal straitjacket already imposed upon her as a woman in the nineteenth century.

At a tight, lean hour-and-a-half, Lies We Tell is an enthralling historical psychological thriller (and miles better than Emerald Fennell’s own Gothic literature adaptation Wuthering Heights), and the audience gave it 4 stars out of 5.

The Old Oak, directed by veteran British filmmaker Ken Loach, follows TJ Ballantyne (David Turner) as his pub becomes the focal point of tensions between a Durham County village and an influx of Syrian refugees. The Old Oak is an immersive, comfortable tapestry of small-town charity, legacy, the prejudice that drives us apart and the struggles that unite us.

Ebla Mari delivers an achingly moving performance of compassion and dignified pain as Yara, a young Syrian woman Ballantyne befriends, and Ballantyne has a satisfying little arc of gaining a backbone and launching a charity program by tapping into his past as a mining union member.

Ballantyne’s racist pub regulars are a source of both conflict and dry humour as they fester in

their bitter bigotry and loopy rationalisations for it. The Old Oak scored even higher than Lies We Tell, reaching 4.8 stars out of 5.

In And Mrs, a lighthearted comedy with a macabre premise, Gemma (Aisling Bea) resolves to use a forgotten legal precedent to marry her recently-deceased boyfriend Nathan (Colin Hanks; Tom Hanks’s son). And Mrs is a cute caper movie that fully commits to its bonkers premise, and has many funny and moving moments. Bea, who is primarily a comedian, equips herself well to a somewhat dramatic role as Gemma, but the endearingly crazy highlight of And Mrs is Billie Lourd (Carrie Fisher’s daughter) as Nathan’s sister Audrey, a crazy girl who would die for those she loves.

There just isn’t enough insight into Gemma and Nathan’s relationship, and they have too little chemistry in the flashbacks, to fully invest yourself in Gemma’s mission to posthumously marry him. The audience gave And Mrs 3.75 stars out of 5.

I would have preferred a less Anglocentric, more diverse selection of films from the United Kingdom. And Mrs and The Old Oak are English productions – Britain isn’t just England, but also Scotland and Wales – and while Lies We Tell was the best film of the day, including an Irish film is a little problematic, given that Ireland has been fully independent from the UK since 1949. Many Irishmen would be justifiably offended if you called them British.

Setting aside my minor program misgivings, this year’s Healesville Mini Film Festival offered a very enjoyable and well-received trio of films.

-

Seth Lukas Hynes

Melba was a ruthless, brilliant auctioneer.

In Sydney, she auctioned her very last farthing for a staggering £100.

In Geelong, her concerts raised double that of other major cities through the sales of Belgian flags and massive bales of wool.

The financial results from her efforts were extraordinary.

Concerts held in Sydney, Melbourne, and Geelong raised thousands of pounds each, supporting the Red Cross and various international relief funds.

Subsequent tours in North America and Europe extended her reach even further, with estimates suggesting her total wartime fundraising was over £100,000, a remarkable sum of money for the period.

Melba’s wartime service earned her prestigious honours, including Dame Commander

(DBE) and later Dame Grand Cross (GBE) of the British Empire, awarded not for her musical achievements but for her humanitarian work. After the war, Dame Nellie Melba continued performing and supporting music in Australia and overseas.

Eventually, changing social conditions and her advancing age gradually brought her career to a close.

Her legacy endures not only as a world-renowned soprano but also as a dedicated patriot and philanthropist whose wartime efforts had a lasting impact.

Proving that when her world was in crisis, her greatest masterpiece wasn’t performed on a stage, but forged in the fires of wartime charity.

If you are interested in discovering more stories about the history of Lilydale visit our Website at: lilydalehistorical.com.au.

A great introduction

Doctor Who: Dracula!, by English author Paul Magrs, is the eighth and last title included in the Doctor Who Puffin Crossovers series.

The story features the First Doctor and his companions Susan, Barbara and Ian, who are inadvertently transported by the TARDIS to the seaside town of Whitby.

As readers would know, in Bram Stoker’s renowned 1897 novel Dracula, Whitby, in North Yorkshire, England, is the town terrorised by Count Dracula after his ship runs aground on the shore below the East Cliff on the 8th of August.

In his novel, Stoker did not specify in which year the vampire descended on Whitby.

But the author is known to have holidayed in that town in 1890, where he found the name “Dracula” in a book while visiting the local library. It turns out that the Doctor and his companions have arrived in Whitby in 1901, ten years after a certain monster descended on the town and caused despicable madness and mayhem. Now the locals are getting worried because gruesome murders are once again occurring – and all the victims have puncture wounds on their necks.

As one of the townsfolk speculates, could it be someone deliberately copying a popular

PASSION FOR PROSE

theatre production based on Stoker’s novel that is currently performing at the local opera house? “Either that, or these performances are summoning evil back to our shores!”

Treating the two stars from the theatre production as suspects, the Doctor teams up with the “dapper and elegant” Professor Abraham Van Helsing to investigate the mysteries.

“Of course! Van Helsing! The vampirehunter in the novel,” Ian thinks at one stage. “So, he was real!” Thus ensues a thrilling adventure full of twists and turns, with fiction and “facts” overlapping each other in typical fast-paced and happily chaotic Doctor Who fashion.

Theatre round up

The 1812 Theatre

The Ladykillers

The Ladykillers is a black comedy that follows the hilarious capers of a group of small-time crooks taking on more than they can handle in the form of sweet elderly landlady, Mrs Wilberforce.

This group of seedy misfits are planning a security van robbery and rent a room from Mrs Wilberforce in her rickety Victorian house next to Kings Cross station from which to base theiroperation.

To conceal their purpose, they pose as an string quartet, though they cannot play a note andareinfactmimingarecordingofBoccherini’s Minuet.

Thegangpullofftherobberybutnoneofthem could have predicted that their greatest obstacle to escaping with the loot would be their tiny hostess.

Season: 21May–13June.

Karralyka

An Afternoon with Silvie

Spend some time with the inimitable Silvie Paladino,assheperformsherfavouritesongs.

Silvie is one of Australia’s most versatile and talented performers. She is a popular concert performer and recording artist and has starred in musicals such as Mumma Mia, Cats and Les MiserablesinAustraliaandLondon’sWestEnd.

SheisalsowellknowntoAustralianaudiences asaregularonCarolsbyCandlelight.

Season: Tuesday23Juneat1.30pm.

The Round Phantom–ATributetoMichaelCrawford.

Experience the magic of Michael Crawford, Andrew Lloyd Weber and the West End’s most iconic performances all in spectacular celebration.

Keith McNamara presents Phantom – a breathtaking tribute to the power, passion, and unmistakable brilliance of Michael Crawford’s greatestperformances.Hearhisplatinumrecords andstagemusicalsonstage.

A lifelong labour of love, Keith McNamarafirst foundhisvoicesingingalongtoCrawford’siconic recordings - and went to build a jaw-dropping career of his own, performing over 20 stage musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Les MiserablesandMissSaigon.

Season: Sunday14Juneat1.30pm.

The Magic Pudding: The Opera – Victorian Opera VictorianOperabringsadoredadaptationofNorman Lindsay’s classic The Magic Pudding live on stage. Filled with equal measures of catchy musicaltunes,deliciouslyplayfulcostumesandhearty helping of the theatrical craft, this dinky-delight brings Lindsay’s larrikin spirit to joyous life! Perfectforpudding-loversofallages.

Season: Friday15May –Saturday16May.

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Graceful bird (4)

3 South Asian republic (10)

10 High-protein food pulses (7)

11 Largest of the Ryukyu islands, south of Japan (7)

12 Rump (8)

13 Of the nose (5)

14 Summit (4)

15 An automatic weapon (7,3)

18 Actually, truthfully (10)

20 Devoted followers (4)

21 Step-by-step guide (3,2)

23 Relating to cultivated land (8)

26 Of that (7)

27 Continuing (7)

28 Black and white (10)

29 Just (4)

DOWN

1 Senior barrister (coll) (4)

2 Said or done so often as to become tiresome (2,7)

4 Partner; colleague (9)

5 Shine (5)

6 City in southern France (7)

7 Tests (5)

8 Front-page stories (9)

9 Perfect condition (4)

14 Indifferent (9)

16 Mirthful (9)

17 Subtle change by degrees (9)

19 US writer (1817–62), Henry David – (7)

22 Revolver (5)

23 Horrible (5)

24 Carpets (4)

25 Unsightly (4)

four letters or more can you

be

how many words

The centre letter

and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

BRAND NEW ARCHITECTURAL LIVING

BRAND NEW ARCHITECTURAL LIVING IN THE HEART OF UPWEY

WELCOME to 15 Belbrook Road, Upwey a striking, never lived in residence that delivers cutting edge design, refined finishes and effortless family functionality in one of the Hills’ most desirable pockets.

Designed with modern living at its core, this brand new four bedroom, three bathroom home showcases clean architectural lines, soaring ceilings and an abundance of natural light throughout. The sleek façade makes a bold first impression, while inside, warm timber floors and soft neutral tones create a calming, contemporary aesthetic.

At the heart of the home, the open plan living and dining domain flows seamlessly to the expansive outdoor entertaining deck perfectly positioned for weekend gatherings, summer barbeques and relaxed evenings surrounded by nature.

The kitchen is a true statement space, featuring quality Bosch appliances, stone benchtops, dishwasher, generous storage and a sophisticated modern finish that will impress even the most discerning buyer.

Multiple living zones provide flexibility for growing families, work from home professionals or multi-generational living. Whether it’s a formal lounge, upstairs retreat or secondary sitting area, the thoughtful floorplan ensures space and

separation when needed.

Accommodation is equally impressive. Four generous bedrooms and a study are complemented by three beautifully appointed bathrooms, with the choice of two luxurious master suites one upstairs and one downstairs both complete with designer ensuites and walk in robe space. Every bathroom reflects the same modern Scandinavian inspired aesthetic seen throughout the home clean lines, quality fixtures and timeless finishes.

Outdoors, the entertaining area extends your living space and enhances the lifestyle appeal this property delivers. Surrounded by established greenery and positioned for privacy, it offers the perfect balance of indooroutdoor living that the Dandenong Ranges are renowned for.

Additional features include Midea ducted heating and cooling, 2 air conditioning split systems downstairs and ceiling fans in every bedroom as well as the main living area and double glazed windows all throughout.

Located just moments from Upwey Village, cafes, schools, train station and walking trails, this home offers the rare combination of brand new luxury and genuine Hills convenience.

A turn-key opportunity with nothing to do but move in and enjoy 15 Belbrook Road is modern family living, redefined. ●

PRESENTATION, PRICE AND POSITIONING IN VIBRANT SOUTHBANK

POSITIONED on the 21st floor boasting spectacular bay views, this modern 2 bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment delivers an airy and open plan living space in the stylish Epic building.

Entering through a tiled entrance, discover a stone-finished kitchen flaunting a glass splashback, quality stainless-steel appliances including a 4-burner gas cooktop. Spacious open-plan living and dining connects with a sheltered full-length balcony showcasing captivating views over Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra River, and the towering skylines of Southbank, the CBD, and the Docklands. The main bedroom with full ensuite & study nook is filled with natural light is generously proportioned, both are serviced by mirrored built-in robes and a powder room including serviceable laundry, toilet and shower all in one.

As you exit the lobby/concierge, Melbourne Square Woolworths, Nido childcare, Boyd Community Hub, Crown, Queens Bridge Road trams to the city, the lively arts precinct, South Melbourne Primary School, and the dining choice lining the Yarra River are a short stroll away.

Comprehensive features include secure car parking, ducted heating and cooling, double glazing, slimline Venetian blinds, and recessed down-lighting. Graced with an impressive 8-star energy-efficiency rating, Epic comes complete with intercom security, 24/7 concierge, high-speed lifts, and access to a heated indoor pool, a fully fitted gym and a tennis court. Inspect to be impressed!

Outgoings:

Council Rates: $380.27 per quarter approx. Water Rates: $170 per quarter approx. Owners Corporation Fees: $1,138.94 per quarter approx.

• Potential Rental Income: $700 per week approx.

* Photo identification will be required upon entering the property. Please contact Mike Rosario on 0400972032, for your personal tour of this apartment over the weekends. ●

WIRE INDUSTRIES

Heritage Woven Wire & Gates are Powdercoated in 8 standard colours. Gates come in 7 different pedestrian and driveway styles.

WHERE MODERN COMFORT MEETS COUNTRY FREEDOM ON 58 ACRES (APPROX.)

PRIVATELY set across an impressive 58 acres (approx.), this beautifully balanced lifestyle property delivers the best of both worlds. Refined modern living wrapped in timeless country character, with space to breathe, explore and truly unwind.

The home itself is warm, inviting and thoughtfully designed, framed by an expansive under-roofline verandah that almost wraps the entire residence. It’s here you’ll find yourself starting the day with a quiet coffee as the sun rises over the landscape, or unwinding in the evening as golden light spills across the grounds, your own ever-changing backdrop.

Inside, the heart of the home is a stylish and functional kitchen with a walk-through pantry, complete with a stone island benchtop and striking mirrored splashback, seamlessly connecting to generous open-plan living and dining zones. Natural light pours in, while bamboo timber floors and soft neutral tones create a welcoming, homely feel throughout, enhanced by the comfort and ambience of a wood heater, perfect for cosy winter nights.

Designed for families and entertainers alike, the home offers well-zoned accommodation with four bedrooms, including a master complete with ensuite and walk-in robe. Multiple living areas provide flexibility for growing families, including a versatile rumpus room that could easily serve as a fifth bedroom if desired.

Step outside and the lifestyle truly opens up. The land offers a beautiful balance of open, usable space alongside pockets of established trees and natural bushland, creating privacy, serenity and a true sense of escape. Whether it’s room for recreation, animals or simply enjoying the outdoors, the setting invites you to make the most of it.

No wonder the current owners fondly refer to it as their “playground.”

For those needing space for work, hobbies or storage, the property is exceptionally wellequipped with extensive shedding, including a large shed complete with lock up bays, additional shedding for storage or workspace, woodshed, as well as stables, offering further versatility for animals or rural pursuits. A highclearance carport provides the perfect solution for caravan, truck or machinery storage.

This is a property that offers more than just a home, it’s a lifestyle of space, freedom and connection to nature, without compromising on comfort or quality.

If you’ve been searching for something with soul, scale and versatility… this is it. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

TRANQUIL HILLS LIVING JUST MOMENTS FROM TOWN

TUCKED away in a serene, leafy setting, this charming home offers a warm and inviting lifestyle with a perfect blend of character, comfort, and practicality. Surrounded by established gardens, the property delivers a true sense of privacy and tranquillity from the moment you arrive, while still being conveniently located close to local shops, cafes, and amenities.

The home’s welcoming façade is complemented by a generous covered verandah, ideal for relaxing while enjoying the peaceful outlook. Inside, the residence features three well proportioned bedrooms, including a spacious main, all filled with natural light and complemented by soft, neutral tones.

The cosy lounge is rich in character, highlighted by beautiful timber detailing and a classic fireplace with gas insert that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for those cooler Hills evenings. Large windows frame the surrounding greenery, bringing the outdoors in and enhancing the home’s relaxed feel.

Flowing through, the kitchen and dining area showcase charming timber cabinetry, ample storage, and a practical layout, offering a comfortable space for everyday living. The updated bathroom adds a modern touch, featuring quality finishes, a sleek walk-in shower, and a fresh, contemporary design.

Step outside to the covered rear deck looking out to the lush surrounds. The gardens further enhance the home’s appeal, creating a peaceful sanctuary to unwind in.

Additional features include a separate laundry, second toilet, excellent storage options, and ample car accommodation with a garage, carport, and additional shed space which is a huge bonus in the area.

Set on a generous dual allotment in a tranquil yet convenient location, this property presents an exceptional opportunity for first home buyers, downsizers, or those seeking a relaxed Hills lifestyle. ●

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN EXPLORATION LICENCE

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 – Section 15(5) Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries) Regulations 2019 – Regulation 22(1) and Schedule 1

1.Name and address of applicant(s):

Tungsten Critical Pty Ltd C/-PO Box 563, East Maitland NSW 2323

2. Contact details of applicant (for map and other information requests): Belinda Ingram. Ph: 0428 158 374. E: vic@amets.com.au

3.Applicant’s Website:

Further information about this application is available: www.amets.com.au/victoria-tenements/ andhttps://resources.vic.gov.au/licensing-approvals/have-your-say

4. Details of the application:

Application number: EL008940

Locality of the land to which the application relates: 2.4km south of Marysville, 21km north of Warburton, 6.6km east of Narbethong, inc Wilks Creek

Approximate area of the application (Graticular Sections): 27

Date of the application: 30 April 2026

Term the licences are applied for: 5 years

Outline of the proposed programs of work: Desktop studies, geological modelling, geo-sampling, geo-surveys

5.Objections and Comments:

Any person may object or comment to a licence being granted. (Sections 24 and 24A, Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990).

A person who objects or comments must: a.put the objection or comment in writing; and b.include the grounds on which it is made.

All objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to:

The Minister for Energy and Resources c/- Manager Licensing, Resources Victoria, PO Box 500, East Melbourne Victoria 8002

It is recommended that objections or comments are lodged online at https://rram-vic-gov.my.site.com/ObjectionSubmission to ensure timely consideration. Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phone to RVRO 136 186.

6.Other Statutory Requirements

Subject to other requirements being satisfied, an exploration licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to explore and search for minerals in the relevant land, but does not entitle the holder to undertake mining.

Further information regarding the requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken on a licence, including landowner and occupier consent requirements, is available at: https://resources.vic.gov.au/community-and-land-use.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT

Application

Applicant

Millar Merrigan Yarra Ranges Council PDPER-2026-0191

A permit is required under the following clauses of the planning scheme

Planning Scheme Clause

Clause 52.02

Matter for which a permit is required

Proceeding under Section 23 of the Subdivision Act 1988 to vary an easement or restriction.

View the application documents: You may view the application and the supporting documents online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or by scanning the QR code below.

You may also contact the council to arrange a time to view the application documents free of charge at one of our Community Link offices from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.

All Submissions must include:

1.The application reference number and site address

2.The name, address, and email of the objector/ submitter

3.The reasons for the objection and how the objector would be affected.

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other comments regarding the application to the Responsible Authority. If you object, the Responsible Authority will notify you of the decision when it is issued.

The removal or defacement of this sign constitutes a breach of Section 318 of the Local Government Act 2020 which carries a fine of up to 60 penalty units ($12,210.60).

For further information, please contact: You can make a submission before a decision has been made. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before 20 May 2026

Yarra Ranges Council

Phone: 1300 368 333 Email: mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au Website: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Ask about our discounted ongoing advertising rates and how choosing more newspapers gives your advertising more impact and saves you money... Deadline for all classifications is 4pm Friday.

Section 52(1) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 - Form 2

Female footballers up front

By Sally Cunningham

It’s Female football week, and what a way to kick things off for Healesville Soccer club with all of our junior girls teams winning their games across the East.

The Women’s Premiers bagged a great win at home against the ladder leaders, South-East football club 6-1.

For the first time ever, Healesville is fielding three senior women’s teams, including all ages and skill levels from 15-year-olds to legends in their 50’s, giving it a great go on the pitch for the team, club and love of the sport.

Another first for the club is a super competitive Under-8 girls team.

The future looks bright for our local club.

With a forfeit for the women’s firsts, just the two women’s teams lined up on Saturday, the premiers and Div X, the mighty ‘Reds’

With very encouraging words from Head Coach Glen.

“After last week’s performance against Knox, the message was simple. Start fast and bring the energy. It didn’t take long. Captain Sarah struck from distance with her left foot to make it onenil, and from there the game was on our terms,” coach Glen said.

With Courtney in the midfield, we had composure and adding Tess on the right and Kiah on the left, the balance across the park was exactly what we were after.

Melita netted early, and Healesville went to the break three-nil up.

The second half wasn’t about sitting back. We wanted to keep playing our brand of football, stay in control and use the possession game to dominate. Charlotte, Kiah, Mia and the rest of the team did exactly that.

• Final score was: 6-1. A strong home performance that moves us to equal top of the table.

• Goals: Sarah, Melita (3), Tess, Kiah Div X Women’s co-captained by Sally and Ho-

li-May and stars club President Suzanne too who penned this report.

‘The Red’s travelled down the line to Balwyn with a few first gamers and a couple of very welcome fill-ins from the firsts team (due to their match being forfeited).

The team began the game with a possible five subs resulting in two, then dropping again to one withanin-gameinjury,leadingtoanemptybench.

It was a super team effort holding the young and fit One FC team to concede just a single goal in the first half. With our ring in coach Johnny on the sidelines biting his nails, the second half came faster and with energy depleted, our legs felt every one of the 90 minutes on the clock. Big shout out to Tash in goals, who was simply amazing, and Noriko and Caroline who did not stop running.

Thanks to Jodi, Nicole and Indi who are playing their first and second games with the composure and tenacity of years of experience.

Hanna and Charli our secret weapons, which we are very grateful for and Holi-May rock solid in defence, bringing the positive vibes to carry us through.

And our champion core of Nat, Jo, Dani bringing the hard work as always, not our day with a 5-0 loss but here’s to the next game.’

Another win for the Under 16’s Reds against

Mooroolbark Phoenix 0-6 Healesville.

In a dominant performance from the first whistle to the last, the Healesville really showed composure in all parts of the ground with great passing, dribbling, tackling and shooting.

With a ton of shots at goal, 6 got past the Mooroolbark defence.

Every week, the quality and consistency of effort and performance from the team gets better, with notable mention to Evie with 5 goals and opportunities created from the back by Harper and Savannah.

The team stand top of the table on goal difference after round 3, with a cracking start to the season for this young group.

U14’S Healesville Red Dragons vs Knox Force. Result 5-4 win

An impressive team effort by the girls today, following a tough first outing last week.

The girls showed strength against an experienced Knox team.

An even start saw the ball going from end to end until a really nice attacking play with Audrey scoring, only to be disallowed as offside.

However, this moment gave the team a push of confidence to continue the attack led by Stella on the wing, finally breaking the deadlock with two quick goals from Sia.

Knox managed to match Healesville on the scoreboard until another nice run from Sia resulted in her third goal early in the second half. Subsequent goals to Emmelia and Macey after a ruthless finish following a goalie fumble pushing Healesville to the lead.

Holding on to this narrow advantage, the final whistle blew much to the delight of the girls! A big confidence booster for the season ahead.

U12S Reds girls 6 vs Knox Force 1 Despite a scrappy first half, Healesville entered halftime with a 2-0 lead thanks to Lexie and Rosie.

The second half appeared to be a very different game, with the whole team putting in a tre-

mendous effort.

Caitlin found a renewed confidence, and Tilly and Harper worked hard through the middle of the pitch. Shots were being fired at the net, Sienna was peppering the goals and was rewarded with a tap-in. Emmi scored a brace.

Anya was so courageous the whole game. Charlotte and Eva were fighting hard to keep that ball out of the defensive half backed up by Shea in goals.

Most impressive was the passing to each other and the great teamwork to score a total of six goals, a well-fought win.

Under 10’s Healesville vs Bayswater

The under-10 girls were absolutely pumped for their first home game of the season. The Dingos started strong, attacking the ball straight from kick off, passing with intent and precision, and supporting each other all the way.

Romilly scored the opener, assisted by Jessie, showing great control of the ball, and soon the Dingos were 2 -0 up after an awesome volley from Quinnie.

First-time goalie, Shiloh, kept a clean sheet in the first half, with help from a solid defensive team of Addison, Eleanor and then Isabelle.

After the break, new recruit Ayda overcame her nerves, playing brave football in the forward position with Quinnie, and several chances were created.

Despite a goal from Bayswater, Healesville kept focus and fought to hold the lead.

Jessie proved solid in goals, and Addison showed her speed and determination, barely letting Bayswater threaten. The team are thrilled with their first win of the season.

Healesville’s youngest girls team, the Under 8 Red Rubies, had another cracker of a game against Lilydale.

Still undefeated in three matches, the Rubies won 5-2, with amazing skills being developed from super coach Sarah, who is also the women’s captain!

Healesville Soccer Club’s Under-8 girls snapped a quick photo after their win against Lilydale. (Sally Cunningham)

A win against Yarra Junction

By David Ball

Yarra Glen travelled to Yarra Junction to take on the Eagles in perfect conditions.

The hosts started with purpose and kicked the first goal.

After that, the River Pigs took control, kicking the next 7 goals to be 41 points up at quarter time.

It was great to see full forward, Josh Hawkins kicked a couple early in his first game back after a knee reconstruction.

Whilst Yarra Junction were competitive in the contest, Yarra Glen dominated once they won the ball to pile on 10 goals in the second quarter.

The midfield and centre line players in Aussie Smith, Cooper Barbera and Noah Bat-

tle provided plenty of dash from the centre as Yarra Glen overpowered a determined but undermanned Yarra Junction to win comfortably.

Final Scores were: Yarra Glen 28.20 to Yarra Junction 4.4.

Best Players were: Cooper Barber, Aussie Smith, Daniel Reid, Sam Wood, Noah Battle, Josh Hawkins.

Goalkickers: Josh Hawkins 7, Jared McCann 5, Cooper Barbera 5, Luke DeGoldi 4, Connor Walker 3, Noah Battle 2, Jae Macdonald 2, Tom Sullivan, Sam Wood, Blake Binion and Jayden Capuano 1 each.

The Yarra Glen Reserves were looking to get their second win of the season but found themselves 4 points behind at quarter time.

In a better second quarter effort, Chris Beattie and Callum Tucker took control in the mid-

dle and despite some inaccurate kicking went to half time 19 points ahead.

The River Pigs were well on top in general play but continued to fail to capitalise on their many forward entries.

Yarra Junction worked hard and made it difficult for Yarra Glen, who went onto finish with a solid but hard fought win.

Final Scores were: Yarra Glen 5.12 to Yarra Junction 2.2

Best Players were: Chris Beattie, Simon Vander Westhuizen, Josh Oultram, Chris Capuano, Jake Oultram, Callum Tucker.

Goalkickers: Chris Beattie 2, Callum Tucker, Sean Kenyon, Simon Van der Westhuizen 1 each.

The Yarra Glen Under 18’s faced another Premier Division team in Olinda Ferny Creek

Riders trot out for state Pony Club clinic

By Anita Prowse

Saturday we were lucky enough to have the Fifth Pony Club Victoria Mounted Games Clinic at Wesburn Park.

This was the last clinic in Victoria this round, with participants coming from all over the state to practice their skills, from Victorian Squad members, to first timers and those just having a go.

It was a little cold and gloomy to begin with, but it actually turned out to be a nice day.

There was plenty of coffee and cake consumed and smiling faces everywhere.

We are very thankful to have one of these days available to our local kids as we don’t often get them this close to us.

In other news, the Yarra Valley Horse Show

at Yarra Junction.

They showed plenty of spirit in the early stages and at quarter time scores were close with Olinda’s lead being just 3 points.

The River Pigs struggled for the balance of the game, however, a couple of their opponents proved to be just a bit too strong in the air against some undersized Yarra Glen boys.

Whilst Yarra Glen tried hard, they were eventually run over in the last to be well beaten.

Final scores were: Yarra Glen 5.1 to Olinda Ferny Creek 20.11

Best Players were: Robert Pavic, Lachlan Rutherford, Alistair Lowrie, John Pavic, Xander Dalton, Dylan Shambrook.

Goalkickers: Lachlan Rutherford 2, Robert Pavic 1, Lachlan Cowan 1, Jungarla Hume 1.

Some exciting goal-for-goal combat in the D grade. (File: 342274).

Netting some wins

By David Ball

In the netball, all the Yarra Glen teams faced Yarra Junction.

The A Grade game was a great contest with Yarra Glen working hard in the first half to be just a goal up at quarter time and 2 goals up at half time.

A big lift in defensive pressure in the second half, combined with a lift in the centre court, saw Yarra Glen finish with a commendable win.

Final scores were: Yarra Glen 52 to Yarra Junction 35.

Best players were: Charlotte Sparkes, Maddie Hargrave, Alana McGuirgan.

The B Grade team looked in control early, but still found themselves in a serious battle as Yarra Junction kept within 3 goals at half time.

In the second half, Yarra Glen dominated, and with Jamie Davis shooting the lights out in goal, they went on to record a comfortable victory.

Final scores were: Yarra Glen 57 to Yarra Junction 39.

Best players were: Jamie Davis, Kayla Wandin Collins, Katelyn Vanderkolk.

C Grade put in a solid and consistent performance, starting with a 6 goal lead at quarter time and winning very quarter to finish up winning 45 to 29.

Best players were: Abbey Page, Ash Shanks, Ellie Estcourt.

D Grade started poorly, turning the ball over with sloppy passes and struggling to convert.

After being 5 goals down at quarter time, they were soon 11 goals down during the second quarter.

They then staged an amazing comeback to be just 2 goals down going into the last.

In an exciting goal-for-goal contest, they drew level with just 30 seconds remaining.

Yarra Junction scored and then, despite a desperate effort to equalise the siren went with Yarra Glen just the 1 goal down, losing 27 to 28.

Best players were: Annabelle Forsyth, Melissa Erickson, Lily Dove.

was originally scheduled for Sunday 13 December, however with HRCAV’s announcement of using that date for TTT Showing 2026, we have officially changed the date to the week before, Sunday 6 December to allow for a practice beforehand. Work will begin on the program shortly. Happy Riding everyone!

Next week is the big Pride Cup round at Yarra Glen as Yarra Glen takes on Emerald in Senior and Reserves football and all netball grades. Travis Cloke will feature for Yarra Glen after his 18-goal haul last week.

Make sure you get along and support Diversity and Inclusion in sport.

The Under 18’s play Warburton Millgrove and the Vets play at Wandin on the Friday night.

This

The Fifth Pony Club Victoria Mounted Games Clinic was hosted at Wesburn Park. (Supplied)

Riders of all abilities took part. (Supplied) The day was a great turnout. (Supplied)

Burras smash Belgrave

By Alex Wood

It was another lovely day in Warburton as we hosted Monbulk.

Liam Barnard played his 300th game, earning himself life membership for the league.

Cam Holland also played 100 games of netball for the club.

Mixed bag of results for the day, but lots of positivity throughout.

Some wins some losses for the weekend but close games throughout. Next weekend we head over to Olinda.

FOOTBALL:

Seniors:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 9.9 (63) - 12.6 (78).

Best: Tom Baker, Josh Berenger, Nelson Aldridge, Jack Lee, Liam Barnard, Jack Farrugia.

Goals: Nelson Aldridge two, Mikey Read (one), Bailey Humphrey (one), Jack Farrugia (three), Brayden Woolridge, Jack Lee (one).

Women’s:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def Belgrave: 10.13 (73) - 1.2 (8).

Bests: Scarlett Henderson, Jade Mewburn, Emelia Robin, Emerson Woods, Chelsea Tamme, Jasmine Enever.

Goals: Jasmine Enever (two), Skye Comer (one), Jade Mewburn (two), Chelsea Tamme (two), Scarlett Henderson (two), Emerson Woods (Two).

Reserves:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 4.1 (25) - 13.14 (92).

Bests: Marcel Kocher, Dale Morris, Kai Harrison, Zayden Crunden, Caelan Flynn, Harry Rothwell.

Goals: Matt Sidari (one), Caelan Flynn (one), Josh Read (one), Marcel Kocher (one).

U18s:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 8.4 (52) - 8.11 (59).

Best: Josh Holmes, Brody Urquhart, Mahliki Balde, Max Blunt, Kai Harrison and Mason Poile.

Goals: Zane Wunhym (three), Josh Holmes (one), Mason Poile (one), Koby Ebbage (two), Brody Urquhart (one). NETBALL: A Grade:

Yarra Valley outfit too strong for Blackburn

By Matt Munro and Aden Kerridge

Yarra Valley Soccer Club’s senior men’s team clinched a crucial draw on the weekend, while the U18s secured a solid 2-0 win over Blackburn.

Yarra Valley U18s win against BNFC Black, 20.

A rousing win at home from our lads against a formidable Blackburn outfit. The game was tight and highly contested through both halves. Our two goals came in the first half. Toby scored a brilliant long range goal from a tight angle on the right side of the box. The ball was curling away from goal, went over the goalie and found the top left corner of the net. The next goal was a delightful curling chip by Jarra that also found the top left corner.

In the first half we attacked and made the most of turnovers. However, in the second half we were more steadfast in defence and handled their forward forays.

It was a heated and tense second half with Blackburn continually pushing to score. Our defensive structure held up and was a spirited victory for Yarra Valley.

Yarra Valley senior men’s draw with Donvale Cavaliers, 1-1.

Yarra Valley made the trip to Camberwell to take on Donvale Cavaliers on Saturday without four key players available for selection. With a depleted squad supplemented by some u18s playing their second game of the day we knew the Valley Seniors knew it was going to be a tough day.

The first half was scrappy with chances few and far between but the makeshift midfield putting in a shift to try and take control of the game.

The team only conceded in the dying minutes of the first half with a perfectly curled finish from outside the box beating the Yarra Valley goalkeeper. Going into half time, the match still there to be won, the lads found a second wind and some outstanding performances from our u18s really set the tone for the second half.

16-year-old Goalkeeper Finlay McLachlan easily being the games man of the match, as he was confident collecting crosses and directing his defence as well as making some crucial saves.

rest.

Pinnock.

Goals: Lara Nathan (19) and Bianca Daniels (19).

B Grade:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 39 - 51.

Best: Gabby Woods, Gemma Langdon and Tanner McCurdy

Goals: Tanner McCurdy (21), Cam Holland (10), Emerson Woods (eight).

C Grade: FT: Warburton-Millgrove def Monbulk: 4135.

Best: Mel Hancock, Jaime Lord and Nicole Winzer.

Goals: Alexandra Woods (22) and Mel Hancock (19).

D Grade:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 20 - 22.

Best: Tamin Crunden, Tayah Humphrey and Amarli Weir.

Goals: Tiana Purchall (nine), Amarli Weir (two), Tayah Humphrey (nine).

U17:

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 22 - 36.

Bests: Arabelle Syme, Maisy Toy and Rylee Bond.

Goals: Miami Rowland (two), Kaylee Feim (two), Arabelle Syme (five) and Maisy Toy (13).

Bulldogs bear their teeth after slow start

First versus last on the ladder didn’t look that way in the opening term on Saturday, with Gembrook Cockatoo showing plenty of early fight against Wandin.

The home side burst out of the blocks through a fast start from Nicholas Pike, piling on four quick goals to take control early.

To their credit, the visitors dug in and steadied, with Sahaf Ali straight kicking in front of goal and David Tokatliyan slotting two majors for the quarter to keep Gembrook within touch. Despite Wandin’s slick ball movement, neither coach would have been pleased at the main break.

The Bulldogs looked polished in possession but lacked their usual defensive hunger, while Gembrook will have lamented conceding late goals after hanging in for much of the quarter. Any doubts were quickly erased after the long break.

Wandin came out baring its teeth, lifting the pressure and dominating territory and possession from then on to put the game beyond reach. Patty Bruzesse led the way and was best on ground, while Macaulay Beckwith was again a constant threat up forward, finishing with six goals as Wandin powered away to a commanding 29.23 (197) - 11.4 (70) victory.

FT: Warburton-Millgrove def by Monbulk: 38 - 46. Best: Ally Langdon, Alyssa Walker and Indiana

Skye Comer challenges a Belgrave player. (Alex Wood)

It was Liam Barnard’s 300th game for WarburtonMillgrove. (Armin Richter)

That hard work paid off, with Yarra Valley scoring with a quick counter. Falling to Abraham Joseph, with the defender tackle deflecting off his shins into an empty net. The team held on to the final whistle, making tackle after tackle, with no subs available on the bench to give tired legs a

The final score was 1-1. But the fight of the team, bouncing back from a few disappointing performances really showing there is games to be won this season.

U18s player launches a freekick from the edge of the area. (Supplied)

The YVSC u18s line up before the match. (Supplied) Players shake hands before kicking off. (Supplied)

Wandin steadied themselves in the second-half and drove home the win against GembrookCockatoo. (Rob Carew: 549005)

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1. What emoji do you use the most? Heart

2. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring?

Fire starter (flint), A large knife (machete), A metal pot to boil water

3. What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Broome, “Coconut Well” just north of Broome and “Anastasia’s Bath” just south of Broome on the same day of a 10m king tide

4. What was your first car? Did you name it?

HQ Holden Sedan. Much loved but never named

5. Where would you like to retire?

As I have lived in the Dandenong Ranges all my life. Why would I want to live anywhere else in retirement

6. What is the most unusual food you have ever tried, did you like it?

Venison Jerky. And I wasn’t all that keen.

7. If you had any super power for a week, what would it be, and how would you use it?

The power to fly. And just enjoy the view.

8. What movie title matches your job role A cross between “Fawlty Towers” and “Are You Being Served?”.

9. Which historical figure would you most like to date, and why?

Cleopatra, I think we would have a fun night

10. What is the craziest thing you believed as a child? I remember being terrified of the black grates at the bottom of the local swimming pool; I was convinced that monsters were in them.

11. If you could have a conversation with your pet, what would you talk about?

I only have tropical fish now. And scientists say they only have a short memory span. Yet they are always excited to see me, and each appears to have their own personality. I would like to chat to them about that.

NAME: Ken Hunt